Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697803718367.pdf (Marshall Islands)
Framework on Strategic Cooperation and Partnership (Implementation) Act, 2018 43MIRCCh.9Index TITLE 43 - FOREIGN AFFAIRS CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION CHAPTER 9 - FRAMEWORK ON STRATEGIC COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIP (IMPLEMENTATION) ACT 2018 s Republic of the Marshall Islands Jepilpilin Ke Ejukaan FRAMEWORK ON STRATEGIC COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIP (IMPLEMENTATION) ACT, 2018 Index Section Page §901.

§902.

§903.

§904.

Short title.


.............................................................................................................................. 3 Interpretation.

....................................................................................................................... 3 Implementation of the Framework on Strategic Cooperation and Partnership.

......... 3 Effective Date.
....................................................................................................................... 4 SCHEDULE 5 FRAMEWORK ON STRATEGIC COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ............ 5 l Page1 Framework on Strategic Cooperation and Partnership (Implementation) Act, 2018 43MIRCCh.9§901 TITLE 43 - FOREIGN AFFAIRS CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION CHAPTER 9 - FRAMEWORK ON STRATEGIC COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIP (IMPLEMENTATION) ACT 2018 s Republic of the Marshall Islands Jepilpilin Ke Ejukaan FRAMEWORK ON STRATEGIC COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIP (IMPLEMENTATION) ACT, 2018 AN ACT to provide for the implementation of the Framework on Strategic Cooperation and Partnership, by giving force and effect of law.
Commencement: Source: November 19, 2018 P.L.

2018-91 §901.

Short title.

This Act may be cited as the Framework on Strategic Cooperation and Partnership (Implementation) Act, 2018.

§902.

Interpretation.

In this Act, “the Framework” means the Framework on Strategic Cooperation and Partnership between the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of China (Taiwan) and its subsequent agreements concluded with the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

§903.
§903.

Implementation of the Framework on Strategic Cooperation and Partnership.

(1) The Framework shall have the force and effect of law as if enacted by the Nitijela .

l Page3 43MIRCCh.9§904 Framework on Strategic Cooperation and Partnership (Implementation) Act, 2018 (2) The Framework shall be construed and applied in a manner consistent with the provisions of the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

§904.

Effective Date.


This Act shall come into effect on the effective date of the Framework, as mutually agreed between the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
Page4 r Framework on Strategic Cooperation and Partnership (Implementation) Act, 2018 SCHEDULE SCHEDULE FRAMEWORK ON STRATEGIC COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS AND THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA (TAIWAN) The Republic of the Marshall Islands, hereinafter referred to as “the RMI”, and the Republic of China (Taiwan), hereinafter referred to as "the R.O.C.
(Taiwan)" RECOGNISING the time-tested and friendly relationship between the two countries, underpinned by historical and cultural ties; EMPHASISING the fundamental and lasting importance of the Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of China (Taiwan) of 20 November 1998, and subsequent Agreements, Memorandums of Understanding and Joint Statements; PROCEEDING from a desire to further strengthen their traditional and historical ties and common Austronesian heritage to mutual benefit; DRAWING upon their rich and fruitful tradition of cooperation in various fields since the establishment of said diplomatic relations; CONVINCED that the further comprehensive development of their bilateral ties would promote progress and prosperity in both states and the Indo Pacific region as a whole; APPRECIATING the significant expansion of bilateral ties between the two countries and, in this context, the sincere and generous assistance that the R.O.C.
(Taiwan) has provided to the RMI over the past twenty years; SEEKING to impart a long term commitment to their multifaceted bilateral relations and to actively develop them in political, development, economic, trade, scientific, technological, cultural and other fields in the years ahead; l Page5 SCHEDULE Framework on Strategic Cooperation and Partnership (Implementation) Act, 2018 CONFIRMING their adherence to the common ideals of peace, democracy, rule of law, non-violence, human rights and fundamental freedoms; REAFFIRMING their commitment to international law, including to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter; Hereby proclaim the establishment of relations of Strategic Cooperation and Partnership, as laid out in the following paragraphs, and both parties agree that the final implementation of each cooperation details under the Strategic Cooperation and Partnership is subject to further negotiations or relevant legal documents, such as Agreement between concerned Ministries/Authorities of both parties: SECTION I.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES This Framework, based on mutual understanding and long term trust 1. between the RMI and the R.O.C.

(Taiwan), envisages the elevation of the multifaceted ties between the two countries to higher levels, both in the bilateral field and in the international arena.

The Strategic Partnership between the RMI and the R.O.C.
(Taiwan) is based 2. upon the principles of sovereignty, equality and territorial integrity of States, non- interference in their internal affairs, mutual respect and mutual benefit.

The Strategic Partnership between the RMI and the R.O.C.

(Taiwan) is not 3. directed against any other State or group of States.

SECTION 2.

POLITICAL & SECURITY COOPERATION The RMI and the R.O.C.
(Taiwan) envisage to engage in close political 1. cooperation and, in this respect, establish a mechanism for regular political and Foreign Office Consultations.

Political consultations will be led by Foreign Ministries of both countries and include summit level consultations convened at least once a year.

The RMI and the R.O.C.

(Taiwan) envisage to consult and cooperate at the 2.

United Nations and other international, regional and multilateral fora.
Such cooperation is to be aimed at influencing decision-making in these fora in the interest of both countries.

Cooperation at the UN and multilateral fora would include: Page6 r Framework on Strategic Cooperation and Partnership (Implementation) Act, 2018 SCHEDULE I. II.

Joint initiatives on key regional and international issues; Support for the reform and expansion of the United Nations and its specialized agencies, including the meaningful participation of the R.O.C.
(Taiwan) in all its mechanisms and processes.

III.

The RMI and the R.O.C.

(Taiwan) envisage to establish a Strategic Dialogue to provide a framework for cooperation in the area of national security.

The Dialogue will be led by appropriate officials to be designated and to involve regular consultations with the aim of intensifying mutual efforts towards strengthening regional peace and security.

Security cooperation between the RMI and the R.O.C.
(Taiwan) is intended to help enhance their respective and mutual efforts in the fight against international terrorism, organized crime, illegal trafficking in narcotics, money laundering and so on.

IV.

V. The R.O.C.

(Taiwan) envisages to assist, as mutually determined, in the training and capacity building programs for the RMI law enforcement agencies.

SECTION 3.

TRADE & ECONOMIC COOPERATION 1.

The RMI and the R.O.C.


(Taiwan) envisage to strengthening trade, economic, scientific and technological cooperation, as well as cooperation between other bodies of business and industry representatives, with a view to expanding trade and economic relations.

In the interest of the RMI's sustainable development, and furthering economic 2. interdependence between the two countries, the RMI and the R.O.C.
(Taiwan) envisage to deepening and diversifying cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, rural development, industry, energy, information technology, communications, transport, including civil aviation, and any other areas that the RMI and the R.O.C.

(Taiwan) may agree on.

The RMI and the R.O.C.

(Taiwan) envisage to take effective measures based 3. on the Free Trade Agreement between both countries to create a favorable environment to promote trade and investment.
The measures shall include, among others: I.

Enhancing investment protection; II.

Simplifying customs and other procedures and promoting the removal of non-tariff barriers, and gradually lowering tariff barriers; l Page7 SCHEDULE Framework on Strategic Cooperation and Partnership (Implementation) Act, 2018 III.

Working towards the creation of air-cargo facilities for promotion of commercial exchanges; IV.
Cooperating in the areas of banking, finance, wealth management, and improving credit and insurance facilities and; V. Enhancing cooperation and coordination at international trade, economic and financial bodies.

To achieve a sustained expansion of bilateral trade and economic ties with a 4. long term perspective, the RMI and the R.O.C.

(Taiwan) will establish effective mechanisms for interaction of both Parties.

Specific measures will include: I.


Encouraging contacts between in local governments in both countries with a view to promoting trade, economic and cultural cooperation; II.

Mandating the relevant bodies of both countries to jointly explore the possibilities of regional trading arrangements with third countries; III.
Further enhancing the quality and international competitiveness of their goods by promoting cooperation between the institutions of quality assurance and standardization, and on new technologies; and IV.

Encouraging greater cooperation between the Chambers of Commerce and Industries of both countries.

5.

Recognizing that regional economic cooperation is vital to the future economic prosperity of individual nations, the RMI and the R.O.C.
(Taiwan) envisage to cooperate, both bilaterally and through regional organizations in promoting regional economic cooperation.

Regional economic cooperation will: I. Envisage assisting RMI emerge as a trade, transportation and transshipment hub connecting Western, Central and South Pacific and enabling free and more unfettered transport and transit linkages; II.
Help facilitate the integration of the RMI economy within the Indo Pacific and global economies by enhancing competitiveness of Marshallese products through the FTA between both countries; and III.

Focus on development of regional infrastructure projects.

SECTION 4.

CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION In the interest of RMI's long-term, sustainable development, and building on 1. the existing generous aid program offered by the R.O.C.

(Taiwan) to the RMI, the R.O.C.


(Taiwan) envisage to continue its assistance to the development and capacity building efforts in the RMI.

Page8 r Framework on Strategic Cooperation and Partnership (Implementation) Act, 2018 SCHEDULE I.

Cooperation will, among other areas of focus, concentrate on education and health sectors, reflecting RMI’s priorities; and II.

The R.O.C.
The R.O.C.

(Taiwan) further commits to cooperate with RMI central Government to strengthen ongoing Capital Projects for local government level development in the outer islands and rural areas.

The RMI and the R.O.C.

(Taiwan) envisage to establish institutional linkages 2. between their respective governments by encouraging cooperation between Ministries/agencies of the two parties.

The R.O.C.
The R.O.C.

(Taiwan) could offer the experience of its own institutional, administrative, political and economic systems as references that the RMI can study and benefit from in light of its own needs and realities.

As part of its highly successful scholarship program, and the broader strategy 3. of support higher education for the RMI, the R.O.C.

(Taiwan) intend to continue to expand education and training opportunities programs in the R.O.C.
(Taiwan) through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the International Cooperation and Development Fund (Taiwan ICDF) and its Ministry of Defense scholarships relative Ministries, agencies, and multilateral-funded programs with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

Responding to the requirements of the RMI, the R.O.C.

(Taiwan) 4. acknowledges the priority fields of scholarship provided to the RMI students for the RMI in medical, engineering and management institutes in the R.O.C.
(Taiwan); and The RMI and the R.O.C.

(Taiwan) will also encourage and facilitate annual 5. student exchange programs at the school and university levels.

6.

As part of its capacity building support for the RMI, the R.O.C.

(Taiwan) will continue and expand technical, training and other capacity building support to the various departments in the three branches of government, including the Executive, Judiciary and the (Nitijela) Parliament.
In response to RMI's need to strengthen its administration and governance at 7. the central and local levels, the R.O.C.

(Taiwan) intend to assist the RMI in setting up a permanent, career-based civil service suitable for RMI’s realities by sharing its experience of governance at the central and local body levels.

l Page9 SCHEDULE Framework on Strategic Cooperation and Partnership (Implementation) Act, 2018 SECTION 5.
SOCIAL, CULTURAL, CIVIL SOCIETY & PEOPLE-TO PEOPLE RELATIONS In pursuit of further expanding the existing people-to-people bonds that 1. exists between the two countries, the RMI and the R.O.C.

(Taiwan) envisage encourage greater exchanges between parliament, media, women, youth, sports, academic, cultural, intellectual and religious figures, and bodies.

Through the RMI and the R.O.C.

(Taiwan) Friendship Society, the RMI and 2. the R.O.C.
(Taiwan) will seek to promote social and cultural ties, with a focus on arts, literature, poetry and so on, and further expand the exposure to each other's cultural heritage and achievements.

The RMI and the R.O.C.

(Taiwan) will encourage and promote greater 3. exchanges between media organizations in their respective countries, within the framework of an independent and free media.
Both Parties will work for the upliftment of women, their education and 4. rights, and also for the poorer or weaker sections of their societies.

To encourage and expand interaction and legitimate movement of people 5. between the two countries, the RMI and the R.O.C.

(Taiwan) and agree to simplifying rules and procedures for travel by citizens of both countries.

The RMI and the R.O.C.

(Taiwan) intend to: I.


Promote tourist exchanges and cooperation between tourist organizations in both countries; and II.

Encourage sister-city agreements between the cities of the two countries.

To facilitate legal cases involving nationals of one country in the other, the 6.

RMI and the R.O.C.

(Taiwan) will work towards agreements on mutual legal assistance in civil and criminal matters.

7.
7.

To promote relations between civil societies and, in particular, enable intellectual exchanges, the RMI and the R.O.C.

(Taiwan) expect to encourage eminent persons representing different fields to establish RMI-R.O.C.

(Taiwan) Round Table.

The RMI and the R.O.C.

(Taiwan) envisage to promote cooperation and 8. exchanges in the field of sports.

Page10 r Framework on Strategic Cooperation and Partnership (Implementation) Act, 2018 SCHEDULE 9.
Both Parties envisage to share and learn from each other’s experience of the values and institutions of democracy, including the sharing, distribution and devolution of powers, relations between the Centre and local government, electoral reforms etc.

The RMI and the R.O.C.

(Taiwan) seek to establish parliament-to-parliament 10. exchanges between the two countries by organizing visits of parliamentary delegations and establishing parliamentary friendship groups in the two countries.

SECTION 6.
SECTION 6.

IMPLEMENTATION MECHANISM 1.

This Strategic Partnership would be implemented under the framework of a Partnership Council (hereinafter referred to as “the Council”), which will be headed by the Foreign Ministers of both countries.

The Council will convene annual meeting.

2.


The Council will consist of separate Joint Working Groups on Political and Security Consultations, Trade and Economic Cooperation, Capacity Development and Education, and Social, Cultural and Civil Society, involving high level representatives from concerned Ministries/Authorities.

The existing dialogue mechanisms between the two Parties will become part 3. of the Council.
CONCLUSION The Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of China (Taiwan) proceeding forward in this partnership, re-asserting the fundamental and lasting spirit of the Joint Communiqué establishing formal diplomatic relations between the Republic of the Marshall Islands of 20 November 1998.

This Framework shall enter into force on the date of signature of the Parties thereof.
The Framework shall remain in effect unless either Party giving six (6) months prior written notification to the other Party to terminate this Framework.

l Page11 SCHEDULE Framework on Strategic Cooperation and Partnership (Implementation) Act, 2018 This Framework may be amended by the mutual consultation between the Parties.

IN WITNESS THEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorized by their respective Governments, have signed this Framework.
Signed on the 20th November 2018 at Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands in duplicate in the Chinese and English languages.

For the Republic of the Marshall Islands For the Republic of China (Taiwan) ……………………………….. Hon.

John M. Silk ..……………………………….. H.E.

Dr. Jaushieh Joseph Wu Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister of Foreign Affairs Page12 r