MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

ON COOPERATION IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
BETWEEN
THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE, INDUSTRY AND TOURISM

OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS
AND
THE MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION
AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
OF THE ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Cyprus and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Egypt (hereinafter referred to as “the Parties”);

RECALLING the Agreement on Economic, Industrial and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and the Government of the Republic of Egypt signed on 24 June, 1995 at Cairo (hereinafter referred to as the “Main Agreement”);

REITERATING the desire of strengthening cooperation in exchange of information and knowledge between the two countries in the fields of Science and Technology for the purpose of establishing a long-term mutually beneficial association;

HAVE reached the following understanding:

ARTICLE - 1
(Scope of Cooperation)

            The Parties hereby confirm their intention to establish cooperative relationship for promotion of Science and Technology in areas of mutual interest where experience is available with the scientists and specialists of the two countries for the purpose of establishing a long-term association in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations of each country and the terms of this MOU on the basis of equality, reciprocity and mutual benefit.

ARTICLE - 2
(Joint Working Group)

1.          For implementation of this MOU and close coordination between the Parties, a Cyprus-Egypt Joint Working Group for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (hereinafter referred to as the "Working Group") comprising members from the two countries shall be established. The Working Group from each side shall consist of one senior person (co-chairperson) and one coordinator. Other members representing scientific agencies/ organizations may be permitted by the Parties to participate as and when necessary.

2.         The Working Group shall be responsible for implementing the scope of cooperation as set out in Article 1 of this Memorandum. The Working Group shall be responsible for the following, which interalia include:

 

(a)  

Determining the areas of mutual interest and fields of cooperation;

 

(b)

Exchanging opinions on the overall perspectives of the bilateral scientific and technical cooperation;

 

(c) 

Consideration of new proposals for the development of the cooperation;
 

(d) 

Approving the implementation of joint activities;
 

(e) 

Monitoring and review of the on-going cooperation activities.

3.         The meetings of the Working Group shall take place annually, or as and when required by mutual agreement, alternately in Cyprus and Egypt.

4.         Identification of key deliverables for the Working Group would be identified and will be agreed by the Parties before each meeting of the Working Group.

ARTICLE - 3
(Areas of Joint Cooperation)

The areas of mutual interest for developing and implementing cooperation programmes under this MOU shall be discussed and decided by the Working Group.

ARTICLE - 4
(Modes of Cooperation)

The following modes of collaboration have been agreed upon:

1.

(i)  

Exchange of scientists, research workers, specialists and trainees;

 

(ii)

Implementation of joint scientific and technical research projects and application of the results of such joint research;

 

(iii) 

Joint scientific and technical workshops, conferences, training programmes, seminars and courses on identified themes in the field of Science & Technology;

 

(iv) 

Exchange of scientific & technical information and documentation, including cooperation among scientific libraries;

 

(v) 

Encouragement, wherever possible, of entrepreneurs and venture financing to foster incubation of start-up companies and setting up of joint ventures in the areas of Science & Technology;

 

(vi)

Facilitating the admission of Egyptian scientists to Cypriot Business Incubators and involvement of Egyptian scientists in the evaluation of applications for admission in the Business Incubators of Cyprus;

 

(vii)

Development of strategies for achievement of the objectives of this MOU; by agreement of the two Parties; and

 

(viii)

Other forms of cooperation which may mutually be considered suitable by the Parties.

2.         The Parties shall support Joint Scientific Projects in the areas of mutual interest which shall be developed jointly by the Cypriot and the Egyptian institutions.

3.         The utilization of the jointly obtained results through publications, filing of patents etc. shall be decided by the cooperating institutions. In case of any difference of opinion or inability to finalize terms for the utilization of the jointly obtained results by the cooperating agencies, the matter shall be referred to the Working Group.

ARTICLE - 5
(Terms of Cooperation)

1.         All Cooperative activities under this MOU will be conducted:

 

(a)

On the basis of mutual respect of each other' s autonomy

 

(b)

 In conformity with the laws and regulations in force in each country

 

(c) 

Subject to the availability of funds and other resources of the Parties.

2.        The Parties will coordinate their actions and make effort, individually and cooperatively, to secure the financial resources necessary to maintain a substantive Cooperation.

3.        In accordance with the principle of mutual and equal benefit, the cost of all cooperative activities under this MOU will be shared by the Parties in a manner to be mutually agreed upon.

4.        The Parties will facilitate the entry to, stay in, and exit from the host country for the participants in the programmes of cooperation within the framework of this MOU.

5.        Other entities in Cyprus and Egypt may, if they so decide to sign protocols on the practical implementation of specific joint activities under this MOU can do so with the prior approval of the Parties.

ARTICLE - 6
(Release of Information)

The Parties agree not to divulge information obtained by either Party under this MOU to any third party without the written consent of the other Party.

ARTICLE - 7
(Amendments)

This Memorandum of Understanding may be modified or amended as may be required from time to time by mutual written consent of the Parties.

ARTICLE - 8
(Disputes Settlement)

Any and all disputes between the Parties concerning the interpretation and / or implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding shall be settled amicably through consultations and / or negotiations between the Parties.

ARTICLE - 9
(Validity)

1.        This Memorandum of Understanding becomes effective on the date of its signature by the authorized representatives of both Parties and will remain in force for a period of two (2) years. Thereafter it may be extended for consecutive two years period with the mutual consent of Parties, unless terminated by either Party by giving three (3) months prior notice in writing to the other Party.

2.        The termination of this Memorandum of Understanding will not affect co-operative activities, which are already in progress.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorized hereof by their respective Governments / Ministries, have signed this Memorandum of Understanding at Nicosia on 10th October,  2005 in two originals in the English language, both of which being equally authentic.