EUROPEAN COMMISSION 
Brussels, 28.11.2011 
SEC(2011) 1414 final 
2011/0379 (NLE)   
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
on a Union position in the Joi nt Committee on the implementation of Article 66 of the 
Euro-Mediterranean Interim Association Agreement on Trade and Co-operation 
between the European Community, on the one part, and the Palestine Liberation 
Organisation (PLO) for the benefit of the Pa lestinian Authority of  the West Bank and 
the Gaza strip, on the other part 
 
 
EN 2   EN EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM  
1. The Interim Association Agreement forms the legal basis for the bilateral relations 
between the European Union (EU) a nd the Palestinian Authority (PA).  
2. Article 66 of the Interim Association Ag reement provides for the setting up of the 
necessary bodies for its implementation.  
3. In 2008 four subcommittees were set up w ith the following c onfiguration: (i) 
Economic and Financial Matters, Trade, Cust oms Issues; (ii) Soci al Affairs; (iii) 
Energy, Environment, Transport, Science and Technology; (iv) Human rights, good 
governance and rule of law. 
4. Following two rounds of subcommittees held between 2008-2010, the PA submitted 
a formal request at the 2010 Joint Committee to increase the number of subcommittees in order to ensure more focused discussions and a more adequate 
follow-up.  
5. Based on the experience of the last two rounds of subcommittees, the European 
External Action Service also considers that  the current number of subcommittees is 
not sufficient to enable a thorough di scussion and proper co-ordination. By 
increasing the number of subcommittees to six, it is expected that the European 
Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) process will beco me much more focused and mutually 
beneficial. The PA has also shown increased capacity to participate in this process 
and has taken ownership of the process. The present proposal largely follows the 
same structure and scheme as the subc ommittees with other ENP partners.  
6. The PA is willing to strengthen cooperation in the various areas covered by the 
provisions of the Interim Association Agr eement (IAA). The aim is for the bilateral 
relations between the EU and the Palestinia n Authority to develo p into an overall 
partnership with a coherent approach  guaranteed by close and permanent 
coordination of all the various elements. 
7. In view of the above, the European Commission proposes to the Council that the 
number of subcommittees is increased from four to six subcommittees in order to 
support the Joint Committee in  the implementation of the IAA and the ENP Action 
Plan. The subcommittees will discuss matters of a technical nature that cannot be fully dealt with in the framew ork of the Joint Committee.  
8. The six subcommittees proposed will cover the same issues dealt w ith in the current 
four subcommittees but will enable a more  constructive discussion since more time 
will be allocated to each subject matter. The proposed configuration of the 
subcommittees is: (i) Human rights, good gove rnance and rule of law; (ii) Social 
Affairs and Health (iii) Research, Innova tion, Information Society, Audiovisual and 
Media, Education and Culture (iv) Econo mic and Financial Matters (v) Trade and 
Internal Market, Industry, Ag riculture and Fisheries, Cust oms (vi) Energy, Transport, 
Climate Change, Environment, Water. 
9. The objective, the subjects covered by each subcommittee and the implementing 
procedures are contained in  the rules of procedure. 
 
EN 3   EN 2011/0379 (NLE) 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
on a Union position in the Joint Committee on  the implementation of Article 66 of the 
Euro-Mediterranean Interim Association Agreement on Trade and Co-operation 
between the European Community, on the one part, and the Palestine Liberation 
Organisation (PLO) for the benefit of the Pa lestinian Authority of  the West Bank and 
the Gaza strip, on the other part 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and in 
particular Article 218(9) thereof: 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission1 
Whereas: (1) The Euro-Mediterranean Interim Associ ation Agreement on trade and cooperation 
between the European Community, of the one part, and the Palestine Liberation 
Organisation (PLO) for the benefit of the Palestinian Authority of the West Bank and 
the Gaza Strip, of the other part (hereinaft er referred to as the "Agreement"), was 
signed in Brussels on 24 February 1997 and entered into force on 1 July 1997. 
(2) Article 66 of the Agreement provides for the setting up of committees 
("subcommittees") to assist the Joint Co mmittee, established under Article 63 of the 
Agreement, in carrying out its duties.  
(3) Such committees were set up pursuant to Council Decision 12941/08 of 2008. The 
reorganization of such committees is necessa ry in order to enable a more organized 
and structured dialogue and to better re flect the increased bilateral co-operation. 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:  
Article 1 
The Union position in the Joint Committee on the implementation of Article 66 of the Euro-
Mediterranean Interim Association Agreem ent on trade and coop eration between the 
European Community, of the one part, and th e Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) for 
the benefit of the Palestinian Authority of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, of the other part, shall be based on the draft Decision of the Joint Committee attached to this Decision*. 
                                                
 
1 OJ C […], […], P. […] 
* See document CE-OLP … 
 
EN 4   EN Article 2 
Staff of the Commission and the European External Action Service, assisted by the 
representatives of the Member States, shall represent the Union in the six subcommittees, 
established by the draft Deci sion of the Joint Committee referred to in Article 1. 
Article 3 
This Decision shall enter into fo rce on the day of its adoption.  
This Decision of the Joint Committee shall be  published in the Official Journal of the 
European Union.  
Done at Brussels, 
 For the Council 
 The President 
 
EN 5   EN ANNEX A  
Draft 
DECISION No …/2011 
OF THE EC-PLO JOINT COMMITTEE 
of 
setting up six subcommittees 
THE JOINT COMMITTEE, 
Having regard to the Euro-Medite rranean Interim Association Agreement on Trade and Cooperation 
between the European Community, of the one part, and the Palestine Libera tion Organisation (PLO) 
for the benefit of the Palestinian Authority of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, of the other part1 
(hereinafter referred to as the “Interim Association Agreement”), 
Whereas: (1) The functioning of the European Neighbourhood Policy and its Action Plans in a wide range 
of sectoral areas requires the establ ishment of the proposed subcommittees . 
(2) Whereas the EC-PLO Interim Associati on Agreement has entered a new phase of 
implementation in the context of the Europ ean Neighbourhood Policy and developments in 
the region. 
(3) Article 66 of the Agreement provides for th e setting up of any othe r committee (hereafter 
referred to as subcommittees) that can assist th e Joint Committee in carrying out its duties.  
(4) Whereas this decision will repeal Counc il Decision 12941/08 purs uant to which four 
subcommittees had been set up.  
(5) The Palestinian Authority has requested to increase the number of subcommittees. HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 
Article 1 
The six subcommittees of the Joint Committ ee, listed in Annex I, are hereby set up. 
The rules of procedure, set out in Annex II, are hereby adopted. 
The Joint Committee shall take any action needed to ensure that they operate  properly. It may decide 
to set up further subcommittees or groups or to abolish existing subcommittees or groups.  
                                                
 
1 OJ C […], […], P. […] 
 
EN 6   EN Article 2 
This Decision shall enter into force on the day of  its adoption. This Decision will repeal Council 
Decision 12941/08 of 2008.  
Done at [...] 
For the Joint Committee 
The President  
 
EN 7   EN ANNEX I  
  
SUBCOMMITTEES ATTACHED TO  THE JOINT COMMITTEE 
    
(1) The “Human rights, good governance and rule of law” subcommittee 
(2) The “Social Affairs and Health” Subcommittee (3) The “Research, Innovation, Information Soci ety, Audiovisual and Media, Education and 
Culture” subcommittee 
(4) The “Economic and Financial Matters” subcommittee (5) The “Trade and Internal Market, Industry, Ag riculture and Fisheries, Customs” subcommittee 
(6) The “Energy, Transport, Climate Cha nge, Environment, Water” subcommittee  
 
EN 8   EN ANNEX II  
1) Rules of Procedure of the “Human rights, good governance and rule of law” 
subcommittee  
1. Composition and Chair  
The subcommittee shall be composed of representati ves of the European Union and representatives of 
the Palestinian Authority. It shall be chaired alternately by the two parties.  
2. Role The subcommittee shall work under the authority of th e Joint Committee, to which it shall report after 
each meeting. The subcommittee shall not have a ny decision-making power but may submit proposals 
to the Joint Committee.  
3. Subject-Matter The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Interim Association Agreement and the 
related European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan in the areas listed below and shall assess 
progress on the objectives and actions  which have been identified a nd agreed upon in the Action Plan. 
Where relevant, the subcommittee shall discuss co-operation in public administration matters. In this context, it shall examine any problems that may ar ise in the sectors below and shall suggest possible 
steps to be undertaken: 
(a) human rights; (b) good governance; (c) rule of law. The above list is not exhaustive and other sectors,  including horizontal sectors, may be added by a 
decision of the Joint Committee.  
The subcommittee may discuss matt ers relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.  
4. Secretariat An official of the European Union and an official  of the Palestinian Authority shall act jointly as 
permanent secretaries of the subcommittee. 
All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forw arded to the secretaries. 
5. Meetings The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstan ces require. A meeting may be convened on the 
basis of a request from the chairp erson of either party,  channelled through thei r secretary, who will 
pass the request onto the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the permanent secretary of the other party sh all reply within fifteen working days. 
In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at  shorter notice subject to the 
agreement of both parties. All requests to  convene meetings shall be in writing. 
 
EN 9   EN Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held  at a time and place agreed by both parties. 
The meetings shall be convened by the permanent secr etary in charge, in agreement with the chair. 
Before each meeting, the chair shall be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each 
party. 
If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings in order to provide the 
specific information required. 
6. Agenda of the meetings All requests for items to be included in the subco mmittee agenda shall be fo rwarded to the permanent 
secretaries. 
A provisional agenda shall be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It sh all be forwarded by the 
permanent secretary in charge to hi s or her counterpart no later than ten days be fore the beginning of 
the meeting. 
The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the permanent secretaries have 
received a request for inclusion in the agenda no la ter than fifteen days before the beginning of the 
meeting. Supporting documentation shall be received by  both parties at least seven days ahead of the 
meeting. To take account of urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both parties 
agree. 
The agenda shall be adopted by the subc ommittee at the begi nning of each meeting. 
7. Minutes Minutes shall be taken and agreed upon by both perm anent secretaries after each meeting. A copy of 
the minutes, including the subcommittee's proposals, shall be forwarded by the permanent secretaries 
of the subcommittee to the secretarie s and chair of the Joint Committee. 
8. Publicity Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of  the subcommittee shall not be public.  
 
EN 10   EN 2) Rules of Procedure of the “Soc ial Affairs and Health” subcommittee 
1. Composition and Chair  
The subcommittee shall be composed  of representatives of the Eur opean Union and representatives 
of the Palestinian Authority. It shall be chaired alternately by the two parties.  
2. Role The subcommittee shall work under the authority of  the Joint Committee, to which it shall report 
after each meeting. The subcommittee shall not ha ve any decision-making power but may submit 
proposals to the Joint Committee.  
3. Subject-Matter The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Interim Association Agreement and the 
related European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan  in the areas listed below and shall assess 
progress on the objectives and act ions which have been identifie d and agreed upon  in the Action 
Plan. Where relevant, the subcommittee shall disc uss co-operation in public administration matters. 
In this context, it shall examine any problems that  may arise in the sectors below and shall suggest 
possible steps to be undertaken: 
(a) employment and social development; (b) public health The above list is not exhaustive and other sectors, including horizon tal sectors, may be added by a 
decision of the Joint Committee.  
The subcommittee may discuss matt ers relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.  
4. Secretariat An official of the European Uni on and an official of the Palestin ian Authority shall act jointly as 
permanent secretaries of the subcommittee. 
All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forw arded to the secretaries. 
5. Meetings 
The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumst ances require. A meeting may be convened on the 
basis of a request from the chairperson of either  party, channelled through their secretary, who will 
pass the request onto the other party. Upon receip t of a request for a s ubcommittee meeting, the 
permanent secretary of the other party sh all reply within fifteen working days. 
In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees ma y be convened at shorter notice subject to the 
agreement of both parties. All requests to  convene meetings shall be in writing. 
Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held  at a time and place agreed by both parties. 
 
EN 11   EN The meetings shall be convened by the permanent secr etary in charge, in agreement with the chair. 
Before each meeting, the chair shall be informed of the intended compositi on of the delegation of 
each party. 
If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings in order to provide the 
specific information required. 
6. Agenda of the meetings All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the 
permanent secretaries. 
A provisional agenda shall be dr awn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the 
permanent secretary in charge to his or her counter part no later than ten days before the beginning 
of the meeting. 
The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the permanent secretaries have 
received a request for inclusion in the agenda no la ter than fifteen days before the beginning of the 
meeting. Supporting documentation shall be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of 
the meeting. To take account of urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both 
parties agree. 
The agenda shall be adopted by the subc ommittee at the begi nning of each meeting. 
7. Minutes Minutes shall be taken and agr eed upon by both permanent secretaries after each meeting. A copy 
of the minutes, including the s ubcommittee's proposals, shall be forwarded by the permanent 
secretaries of the subcommittee to the secretaries and chair of the Joint Committee. 
8. Publicity Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of  the subcommittee shall not be public. 
 
EN 12   EN 3) Rules of Procedure of th e “Research, Innovation, Information Society, Audiovisual 
and Media, Education and Culture” subcommittee 
1. Composition and Chair  
The subcommittee shall be composed  of representatives of the Eur opean Union and representatives 
of the Palestinian Authority. It shall be chaired alternately by the two parties.  
2. Role The subcommittee shall work under the authority of  the Joint Committee, to which it shall report 
after each meeting. The subcommittee shall not ha ve any decision-making power but may submit 
proposals to the Joint Committee.  
3. Subject-Matter The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Interim Association Agreement and the 
related European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan  in the areas listed below and shall assess 
progress on the objectives and act ions which have been identifie d and agreed upon  in the Action 
Plan. Where relevant, the subcommittee shall disc uss co-operation in public administration matters. 
In this context, it shall examine any problems that  may arise in the sectors below and shall suggest 
possible steps to be undertaken: 
(a) education and vo cational training; 
(b) culture; (c) youth; (d) information society and audiovisual and media policy; (e) science and technology; (f) research and development. The above list is not exhaustive and other sectors, including horizon tal sectors, may be added by a 
decision of the Joint Committee.  
The subcommittee may discuss matt ers relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.  
4. Secretariat 
An official of the European Uni on and an official of the Palestin ian Authority shall act jointly as 
permanent secretaries of the subcommittee. 
All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forw arded to the secretaries. 
5. Meetings The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumst ances require. A meeting may be convened on the 
basis of a request from the chairperson of either  party, channelled through their secretary, who will 
 
EN 13   EN pass the request onto the other party. Upon receip t of a request for a s ubcommittee meeting, the 
permanent secretary of the other party sh all reply within fifteen working days. 
In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees ma y be convened at shorter notice subject to the 
agreement of both parties. All requests to  convene meetings shall be in writing. 
Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held  at a time and place agreed by both parties. 
The meetings shall be convened by the permanent secr etary in charge, in agreement with the chair. 
Before each meeting, the chair shall be informed of the intended compositi on of the delegation of 
each party. 
If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings in order to provide the 
specific information required. 
6. Agenda of the meetings All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the 
permanent secretaries. 
A provisional agenda shall be dr awn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the 
permanent secretary in charge to his or her counter part no later than ten days before the beginning 
of the meeting. 
The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the permanent secretaries have 
received a request for inclusion in the agenda no la ter than fifteen days before the beginning of the 
meeting. Supporting documentation shall be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of 
the meeting. To take account of urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both 
parties agree. 
The agenda shall be adopted by the subc ommittee at the begi nning of each meeting. 
7. Minutes Minutes shall be taken and agr eed upon by both permanent secretaries after each meeting. A copy 
of the minutes, including the s ubcommittee's proposals, shall be forwarded by the permanent 
secretaries of the subcommittee to the secretaries and chair of the Joint Committee. 
8. Publicity Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of  the subcommittee shall not be public. 
 
EN 14   EN 4) Rules of Procedure of the “Econo mic and Financial Matters” subcommittee 
1. Composition and Chair  
The subcommittee shall be composed  of representatives of the Eur opean Union and representatives 
of the Palestinian Authority. It shall be chaired alternately by the two parties.  
2. Role The subcommittee shall work under the authority of  the Joint Committee, to which it shall report 
after each meeting. The subcommittee shall not ha ve any decision-making power but may submit 
proposals to the Joint Committee.  
3. Subject-Matter The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Interim Association Agreement and the 
related European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan  in the areas listed below and shall assess 
progress on the objectives and act ions which have been identifie d and agreed upon  in the Action 
Plan. Where relevant, the subcommittee shall disc uss co-operation in public administration matters. 
In this context, it shall examine any problems that  may arise in the sectors below and shall suggest 
possible steps to be undertaken: 
(a) financial accountability and sound  management of public finances; 
(b) economic reform and development; (c) statistics. The above list is not exhaustive and other sectors, including horizon tal sectors, may be added by a 
decision of the Joint Committee.  
The subcommittee may discuss matt ers relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.  
4. Secretariat 
An official of the European Uni on and an official of the Palestin ian Authority shall act jointly as 
permanent secretaries of the subcommittee. 
All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forw arded to the secretaries. 
5. Meetings The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumst ances require. A meeting may be convened on the 
basis of a request from the chairperson of either  party, channelled through their secretary, who will 
pass the request onto the other party. Upon receip t of a request for a s ubcommittee meeting, the 
permanent secretary of the other party sh all reply within fifteen working days. 
In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees ma y be convened at shorter notice subject to the 
agreement of both parties. All requests to  convene meetings shall be in writing. 
 
EN 15   EN Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held  at a time and place agreed by both parties. 
The meetings shall be convened by the permanent secr etary in charge, in agreement with the chair. 
Before each meeting, the chair shall be informed of the intended compositi on of the delegation of 
each party. 
If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings in order to provide the 
specific information required. 
6. Agenda of the meetings All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the 
permanent secretaries. 
A provisional agenda shall be dr awn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the 
permanent secretary in charge to his or her counter part no later than ten days before the beginning 
of the meeting. 
The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the permanent secretaries have 
received a request for inclusion in the agenda no la ter than fifteen days before the beginning of the 
meeting. Supporting documentation shall be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of 
the meeting. To take account of urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both 
parties agree. 
The agenda shall be adopted by the subc ommittee at the begi nning of each meeting. 
7. Minutes Minutes shall be taken and agr eed upon by both permanent secretaries after each meeting. A copy 
of the minutes, including the s ubcommittee's proposals, shall be forwarded by the permanent 
secretaries of the subcommittee to the secretaries and chair of the Joint Committee. 
8. Publicity Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of  the subcommittee shall not be public. 
 
EN 16   EN 5) Rules of Procedure of the “Trade and Internal Market, Industry, Agriculture and 
Fisheries, Customs” subcommittee 
1. Composition and Chair  
The subcommittee shall be composed  of representatives of the Eur opean Union and representatives 
of the Palestinian Authority. It shall be chaired alternately by the two parties.  
2. Role The subcommittee shall work under the authority of  the Joint Committee, to which it shall report 
after each meeting. The subcommittee shall not ha ve any decision-making power but may submit 
proposals to the Joint Committee.  
3. Subject-Matter The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Interim Association Agreement and the 
related European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan  in the areas listed below and shall assess 
progress on the objectives and act ions which have been identifie d and agreed upon  in the Action 
Plan. Where relevant, the subcommittee shall disc uss co-operation in public administration matters. 
In this context, it shall examine any problems that  may arise in the sectors below and shall suggest 
possible steps to be undertaken: 
(a) trade-related issues; (b) agriculture and fisheries; (c) sanitary and phyto-sanitary (SPS) issues; (d) investment; (e) market and regulatory reform; (f) industry and small and medi um-sized enterprises (SMEs); 
(g) customs issues; (h) taxation. The above list is not exhaustive and other sectors, including horizon tal sectors, may be added by a 
decision of the Joint Committee.  
The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to  one, several or all of the above sectors. 
4. Secretariat An official of the European Uni on and an official of the Palestin ian Authority shall act jointly as 
permanent secretaries of the subcommittee. 
All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forw arded to the secretaries. 
5. Meetings 
 
EN 17   EN The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumst ances require. A meeting may be convened on the 
basis of a request from the chairperson of either  party, channelled through their secretary, who will 
pass the request onto the other party. Upon receip t of a request for a s ubcommittee meeting, the 
permanent secretary of the other party sh all reply within fifteen working days. 
In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees ma y be convened at shorter notice subject to the 
agreement of both parties. All requests to  convene meetings shall be in writing. 
Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held  at a time and place agreed by both parties. 
The meetings shall be convened by the permanent secr etary in charge, in agreement with the chair. 
Before each meeting, the chair shall be informed of the intended compositi on of the delegation of 
each party. 
If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings in order to provide the 
specific information required. 
6. Agenda of the meetings All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the 
permanent secretaries. 
A provisional agenda shall be dr awn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the 
permanent secretary in charge to his or her counter part no later than ten days before the beginning 
of the meeting. 
The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the permanent secretaries have 
received a request for inclusion in the agenda no la ter than fifteen days before the beginning of the 
meeting. Supporting documentation shall be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of 
the meeting. To take account of urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both 
parties agree. 
The agenda shall be adopted by the subc ommittee at the begi nning of each meeting. 
7. Minutes 
Minutes shall be taken and agr eed upon by both permanent secretaries after each meeting. A copy 
of the minutes, including the s ubcommittee's proposals, shall be forwarded by the permanent 
secretaries of the subcommittee to the secretaries and chair of the Joint Committee. 
8. Publicity Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of  the subcommittee shall not be public. 
 
EN 18   EN 6) Rules of Procedure of the “Energy, Tr ansport, Climate Change, Environment, 
Water” subcommittee 
1. Composition and Chair  
The subcommittee shall be composed of re presentatives of the European Union and 
representatives of the Palestinian Authority. It sh all be chaired alternately by the two parties.  
2. Role The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Joint Committee, to which it shall 
report after each meeting. The subcommittee shall not have any decision-making power but may submit proposals to the Joint Committee.  
3. Subject-Matter The subcommittee shall discuss the implementati on of the Interim Association Agreement and 
the related European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan in the areas listed below and shall 
assess progress on the objectives and actions wh ich have been identif ied and agreed upon in 
the Action Plan. Where relevant, the subco mmittee shall discuss co-operation in public 
administration matters. In this context, it shal l examine any problems that may arise in the 
sectors below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken: 
(a) energy; 
(b) transport; 
(c) climate change; (d) environment; (e) water. The above list is not exhaustive and other sectors,  including horizontal sectors, may be added 
by a decision of the Joint Committee.  
The subcommittee may discuss matt ers relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.  
4. Secretariat An official of the European Union and an offici al of the Palestinian Authority shall act jointly 
as permanent secretarie s of the subcommittee. 
All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forw arded to the secretaries. 
5. Meetings The subcommittee shall meet whenever circum stances require. A meeting may be convened 
on the basis of a request from the chairperso n of either party, ch annelled through their 
secretary, who will pass the request onto th e other party. Upon receip t of a request for a 
subcommittee meeting, the permanent secretary of  the other party shall reply within fifteen 
working days. 
 
EN 19   EN In cases of particular urgenc y, subcommittees may be convened  at shorter notice subject to 
the agreement of both parties.  All requests to convene meetings shall be in writing. 
Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held  at a time and place agreed by both parties. 
The meetings shall be convened by the permanent secretary in charge, in agreement with the 
chair. Before each meeting, the chair shall be  informed of the intended composition of the 
delegation of each party. 
If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite  experts to its meetings  in order to provide 
the specific information required. 
6. Agenda of the meetings All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shal l be forwarded to the 
permanent secretaries. 
A provisional agenda shall be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded 
by the permanent secretary in charge to his or he r counterpart no later than ten days before the 
beginning of the meeting. 
The provisional agenda shall include the items in  respect of which the permanent secretaries 
have received a request for inclusion in the agenda no later than fifteen days before the 
beginning of the meeting. Supporting documentation shall be received by both parties at least 
seven days ahead of the meeting. To take accoun t of urgent matters, these time limits may be 
shortened provided both parties agree. 
The agenda shall be adopted by the subc ommittee at the begi nning of each meeting. 
7. Minutes Minutes shall be taken and agreed upon by bot h permanent secretaries after each meeting. A 
copy of the minutes, including the subcommitt ee's proposals, shall be forwarded by the 
permanent secretaries of the subcommittee to th e secretaries and chair of the Joint Committee. 
8. Publicity Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of  the subcommittee shall not be public.