Key Benefits:
President of the Republic,
On the report of the Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Considering the Constitution, in particular articles 52 to 55;
Vu le Decree No. 53-192 of 14 March 1953 amended on the ratification and publication of international commitments undertaken by France,
Decrete:
The Defence Cooperation Agreement between the Government of the French Republic and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand, signed in Bangkok on 5 February 2013, will be published in the Official Journal of the French Republic.
The Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign Affairs are responsible for the execution of this Order, which will be published in the Official Journal of the French Republic.
A C C O R D
OF COOPERATION IN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC AND GOVERNMENT OF THE THAILAND ROYAL
The Government of the French Republic and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand,
The following is referred to as the "Parties",
CONSIDERING the deep bonds of friendship between the Parties;
Acknowledging their common commitment to the Charter of the United Nations and to the peaceful settlement of international disputes;
SHARE the vision of a multipolar world based on the rule of law, mutual respect for cultures and nations, and the promotion of justice on the international scene;
FUNDING their position on the principle of full respect for the sovereignty, independence and integrity of nations, as well as on the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of States, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations;
WHEREAS to achieve the objectives of the Joint Action Plan dated 25 May 2004 between the Government of the French Republic and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand, and in particular the point concerning areas of mutual interest in defence and military cooperation;
SOUHAITANT TO strengthen cooperation between the two armed forces, including through the establishment of a dialogue on strategic issues and regional security;
SOUHAITANT TO deepen and broaden the framework for their cooperation in the field of defence and establish its principles and modalities in accordance with their respective international commitments;
REQUESTS to expand existing cooperation in military logistics, as defined in the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Defence Logistics between the Government of the French Republic and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand, signed on 26 April 2000 in Bangkok;
The following provisions were agreed:
Article 1
1. This Agreement provides a framework for organizing all the cooperation activities of the Parties in the field of defence.
2. Application modalities may be defined by arrangement between the competent ministerial departments of the Parties.
Article 2
Cooperation may include:
a. Strategic analysis on peacekeeping, security and stability in the regional environment of the Parties;
b. Consultations and working meetings at all levels of command and leadership;
c. Research and development cooperation;
d. Logistics cooperation;
e. Weapons cooperation, including exchange of knowledge and experience in military equipment, joint development and production of weapons;
f. Studies and internships in military schools and training centres of the French armed forces;
g. Warships, mutual visits by Parties to air bases and military units.
Article 3
1. A Defence Committee is established to lead this cooperation.
2. The Franco-Thailand Defence Committee has the following tasks:
- to define, organize, coordinate and promote bilateral cooperation actions in the areas defined in Article 2 of this Agreement;
― to consider new proposals for cooperation;
– to ensure the proper execution of the "Defence and Military Cooperation" part of the Joint Action Plan.
The detailed mandate of the Franco-Thailand Defence Committee is prepared during its first meeting and subject to approval by the Parties.
3. The Franco-Thailand Defence Committee is co-chaired by a representative of each Party and composed of representatives of Parties whose participation is necessary.
4. The Comité de défense franco-thaïlandais meets once a year, alternately in France and Thailand, It assesses cooperation for the past year, monitors the actions undertaken, defines the programme of cooperation for the following year and examines future prospects.
5. A report, approved during the session and signed by the co-chairs or their representatives, shall be prepared for each meeting. The minutes contain the completed work, the decisions adopted and the approved cooperation programme.
6. The cooperation program includes agreed actions, their objectives, terms, dates and places of execution, and the institutions responsible for their implementation. The Parties set for the common purpose of the following year the implementation of the actions decided in the cooperation plan.
7. The two co-chairs define all themes to promote the strengthening of bilateral cooperation on the agenda of the Defence Committee meetings.
Article 4
1. The Franco-Thailand Defence Committee may establish, as appropriate, subcommittees responsible for the effective implementation of specific areas of mutual interest in defence cooperation, including those referred to in Article 2.
2. The Franco-Thailand Defence Committee appoints the co-chairs and points of contact of each subcommittee.
3. Each subcommittee shall establish its mandate and submit it for approval to the Franco-Thailand Defence Committee.
4. The Franco-Thailand Defence Committee oversees and monitors the activities of each subcommittee. The subcommittees report on their activities to the Franco-Thailand Defence Committee once a year or at the request of the latter.
Article 5
Parties share the willingness to conclude a bilateral security agreement that will govern the exchange of classified information between them.
Article 6
Unless otherwise provided in a specific arrangement, each Party shall bear the costs incurred by its participation and that of its staff in the cooperation activities carried out under this Agreement.
All costs incurred by a Party under the implementation of this Agreement shall be borne exclusively by that Party within the limits of its budgetary availability.
Article 7
Any dispute concerning the application or interpretation of this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by consultation or negotiation between the Parties.
Article 8
1. This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of its signature by the Parties.
2. This Agreement shall retain its validity for a period of five (5) years from the date of entry into force and shall be terminated for the same period.
3. This Agreement may be denounced at any time, on written notice, by a Contracting Party. In such a case, it expires within a period of ninety (90) days from the date of receipt of the denunciation by the other Party.
4. Parties may at any time amend this Agreement by mutual written consent.
5. The denunciation of this Agreement shall not relieve Parties from the obligations assumed for the duration of its implementation.
Done in Bangkok on 5 February 2013 in duplicate, each in French and Thai languages, both texts being equally authentic.
Done on 2 April 2013.
François Hollande
By the President of the Republic:
The Prime Minister,
Jean-Marc Ayrault
Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Laurent Fabius
For the Government
of the French Republic:
Jean-Marc Ayrault
Prime Minister
For the Government
of the Kingdom of Thailand:
Sukumpol Suwanatat
Minister of Defence
