The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Australia and the
Australian Commerce and Industry Office in Taipei (hereafter
referred to as the “ Parties ” or individually as the “ Party
” ),
ACKNOWLEDGING the readiness of the Parties to develop
cooperation in bilateral and multilateral programmes and to
develop cooperation in the energy and minerals sectors;
RECOGNISING mutual competencies and the desire to enhance and
develop the cooperation between the two Parties based on mutual
interest with respect to the energy and minerals sectors;
EXPRESSING this desire as set forth under this Memorandum of
Understanding (hereafter referred to as the MoU);
AFFIRMING that the MoU will promote good relations between the
Parties and provide for favorable conditions of cooperation
between Taiwan and Australia;
CONSCIOUS of the need for a common basis for their mutual
relations in line with the legal regulations in force in Taiwan
and Australia.
Have reached the following understanding:
IMPLEMENTING AUTHORITIES:
The MoU will be implemented on behalf of:
a) The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Australia by the
Bureau of Energy, Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) of
Taiwan.
b) The Australian Commerce and Industry Office in Taipei by the
Resources Division, Department of Resources, Energy and
Tourism (DRET) of Australia.
PARAGRAPH I - OBJECTIVES OF COOPERATION
Within the framework of their respective functions and duties
under laws and regulations of Taiwan and Australia, the Parties
will closely cooperate in order to establish a framework to
pragmatically promote comprehensive cooperation in the energy
and minerals sectors. The technical objectives of the
cooperation are to:
a) Pursue opportunities to strengthen energy supply security;
b) Undertake energy and minerals economic and trade cooperation
to enhance our complementary and mutually beneficial
partnership; and
c) Expand energy and minerals technical development to enhance
the opportunity of energy diversification.
PARAGRAPH II - AREAS OF COOPERATION
Cooperative activities under the MoU will be determined through
consultations between the Implementing Authorities of both
Parties. Activities of cooperation may include, but are not
limited to, the following:
a) Identify opportunities for cooperation and collaboration in
the energy and minerals sectors of Taiwan and Australia,
including but not limited to the areas of exploration and
development;
b) Facilitate opportunities for trade and investment in their
respective energy and minerals sectors through enhanced
awareness of policy and kregulatory frameworks;
c) Enhance collaborative relationships by promoting commercial
linkages between the energy and minerals sectors of Taiwan
and Australia;
d) Foster knowledge growth and exchange of information in the
areas of, but not limited to, policies, management and
technology of energy and minerals, including clean energy
systems, low emission and renewable energy technologies;
e) Identify areas for the potential exchange and training of
scientific and technical personnel for participation in
mutually arranged research, development, analysis, design,
and experimental activities; and
f) Other forms of cooperation in the area of energy, minerals
and related fields as may be mutually determined by the
Parties including meetings or official dialogues on mutually
determined topics.
PARAGRAPH III – IMPLEMENTING AND REPORTING MECHANISMS
During the annual Taiwan - Australia Joint Energy and Minerals,
Trade and Investment Cooperation Consultations, hereafter
referred to as the Consultations, both Parties mutually decide
to:
a) Report on the status of activities under the MoU;
b) Discuss issues and trends regarding bilateral energy and
minerals developments; and
c) Determine future areas of cooperation in the energy and
minerals sectors.
Both Parties mutually decide that Implementing Authorities will
gather relevant authorities and interested personnel of
essential organisations, institutions, associations, and
enterprises to attend and present (where appropriate) at the
aforementioned Consultations.
All further negotiations required for the implementation of the
MoU will be conducted by the Parties.
PARAGRAPH IV – MUTUAL ASSISTANCE
All activities carried out under the MoU will be subject to
discussion and mutual consent and arrangement according to the
resources available to the Parties. The Parties may, by mutual
consent, invite other organisations, institutions, associations,
and enterprises to participate in activities carried out under
the MoU.
PARAGRAPH V - CONFIDENTIALITY
Any information exchanged under the MoU and identified by either
Party as confidential will be used only by the Parties and
Implementing Authorities, and solely for the purposes of the
MoU. That information will be kept confidential and will be
protected with the same confidentiality level as similar kind of
information, as provided for under internal legislation of
Taiwan and Australia.
PARAGRAPH VI – INTERNAL LAWS AND ARRANGEMENTS
The MoU does not affect the rights or obligations of the Parties
under the laws and regulations of Taiwan and Australia or any
other arrangements to which Taiwan or Australia is party.
PARAGRAPH VII - EFFECTIVE DATE
The MoU will come into effect on the date of the signatures by
the representatives of both Parties.
PARAGRAPH VIII - AMENDMENTS
The MoU may be amended by the mutual written decision of the
Parties.
PARAGRAPH IX – DURATION AND TERMINATION
The MoU will cease to have effect on the fifth anniversary of
its signing unless the Parties mutually determine that the MoU
is to be extended for a further period.
Either Party may terminate the MoU by giving written notice to
the other Party at any time. In that event, the MoU will cease
to have effect six (6) months after the date of receipt of such
notice.
The termination of the MoU will not affect the validity or
implementation of any project, programme or activity between the
Parties under the MoU, which has started before the date of such
notice.
PARAGRAPH X – RESOLUTION OF DIFFICULTIES
Both Parties will consult, upon request of either Party,
regarding any matter related to the terms of the MoU, and will
endeavour jointly, in a spirit of cooperation and mutual trust,
to resolve any difficulties or misunderstandings that may arise.
Signed at Taichung City, on the 30th August 2010 in duplicate in
the English language.
Mr Gary Song-Huann Lin Alice Cawte
Representative, Representative,
Taipei Economic and Commerce and Industry
Cultural Office in Office, Taipei
Australia