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 Palestinian Authority of the West Bank and the Gaza strip, on the other part
Date: 2011-11-28
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Palestine Liberation Organisation, association agreement, cooperation agreement, trade cooperation, trading operation

EUROPEAN COMMISSION 

Brussels, 28.11.2011 
SEC(2011) 1414 final 

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 Palestinian Authority of the West Bank and 
the Gaza strip, on the other part 

 
 
  
 
1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

The  Interim  Association  Agreement  forms  the  legal  basis  for  the  bilateral  relations 
between the European Union (EU) and the Palestinian Authority (PA).  

Article  66  of  the  Interim  Association  Agreement  provides  for  the  setting  up  of  the 
necessary bodies for its implementation.  

In  2008  four  subcommittees  were  set  up  with  the  following  configuration:  (i) 
Economic  and  Financial  Matters,  Trade,  Customs  Issues;  (ii)  Social  Affairs;  (iii) 
Energy, Environment, Transport, Science and Technology; (iv) Human rights, good 
governance and rule of law. 

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.  

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  discussion  and  proper  co-ordination.  By 
increasing  the  number  of  subcommittees  to  six,  it  is  expected  that  the  European 
Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) process will become 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 subcommittees with other ENP partners.  

The  PA  is  willing  to  strengthen  cooperation  in  the  various  areas  covered  by  the 
provisions of the Interim Association Agreement (IAA). The aim is for the bilateral 
relations  between  the  EU  and  the  Palestinian  Authority  to  develop  into  an  overall 
partnership  with  a  coherent  approach  guaranteed  by  close  and  permanent 
coordination of all the various elements. 

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 framework of the Joint Committee.  

The six subcommittees proposed will cover the same issues dealt with 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  governance  and  rule  of  law;  (ii)  Social 
Affairs and Health (iii) Research, Innovation, Information Society, Audiovisual and 
Media,  Education  and  Culture  (iv)  Economic  and  Financial  Matters  (v)  Trade  and 
Internal Market, Industry, Agriculture and Fisheries, Customs (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. 

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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 Palestinian 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) 

(2) 

(3) 

The  Euro-Mediterranean  Interim  Association  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  (hereinafter  referred  to  as  the  "Agreement"),  was 
signed in Brussels on 24 February 1997 and entered into force on 1 July 1997. 

the  setting  up  of  committees 
Article  66  of 
("subcommittees")  to  assist  the  Joint  Committee,  established  under  Article  63  of  the 
Agreement, in carrying out its duties.  

the  Agreement  provides  for 

Such  committees  were  set  up  pursuant  to  Council  Decision  12941/08  of  2008.  The 
reorganization  of  such  committees  is  necessary  in  order  to  enable  a  more  organized 
and structured dialogue and to better reflect 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  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, 
shall be based on the draft Decision of the Joint Committee attached to this Decision*. 

1 
* See document CE-OLP … 

OJ C […], […], P. […] 

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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 Decision of the Joint Committee referred to in Article 1. 

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.  

Article 3 

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 

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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-Mediterranean Interim Association 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  part1 
(hereinafter referred to as the “Interim Association Agreement”), 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

The functioning of the European Neighbourhood Policy and its Action Plans in a wide range 
of sectoral areas requires the establishment of the proposed subcommittees. 

Whereas  the  EC-PLO  Interim  Association  Agreement  has  entered  a  new  phase  of 
implementation  in the  context of the European Neighbourhood Policy and developments in 
the region. 

Article  66  of  the  Agreement  provides  for  the  setting  up  of  any  other  committee  (hereafter 
referred to as subcommittees) that can assist the Joint Committee in carrying out its duties.  

Whereas  this  decision  will  repeal  Council  Decision  12941/08  pursuant  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 Committee, 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. […] 

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5 

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This  Decision  shall  enter  into  force  on  the  day  of  its  adoption.  This  Decision  will  repeal  Council 
Decision 12941/08 of 2008.  

Article 2 

Done at [...] 

For the Joint Committee 

The President  

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ANNEX I 

SUBCOMMITTEES ATTACHED TO THE JOINT COMMITTEE 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

The “Human rights, good governance and rule of law” subcommittee 

The “Social Affairs and Health” Subcommittee 

The  “Research,  Innovation,  Information  Society,  Audiovisual  and  Media,  Education  and 
Culture” subcommittee 

The “Economic and Financial Matters” subcommittee 

The “Trade and Internal Market, Industry, Agriculture and Fisheries, Customs” subcommittee 

The “Energy, Transport, Climate Change, Environment, Water” subcommittee  

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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 representatives 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 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  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 and 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 arise 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 matters 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 forwarded to the secretaries. 

5. 

Meetings 

The  subcommittee  shall  meet  whenever  circumstances  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  receipt  of  a  request  for  a  subcommittee  meeting,  the 
permanent secretary of the other party shall 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. 

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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 shall 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 her 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 account of urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both parties 
agree. 

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting. 

7. 

Minutes 

Minutes shall be taken and agreed upon by both permanent 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 secretaries and chair of the Joint Committee. 

8. 

Publicity 

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public. 

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2) 

1. 

Rules of Procedure of the “Social Affairs and Health” subcommittee 

Composition and Chair  

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives 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 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 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  and  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 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 horizontal 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 Union and an official of the Palestinian Authority shall act jointly as 
permanent secretaries of the subcommittee. 

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries. 

5. 

Meetings 

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances 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  receipt  of  a  request  for  a  subcommittee  meeting,  the 
permanent secretary of the other party shall 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. 

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties. 

EN 

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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  shall  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 her 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 account of urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both 
parties agree. 

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting. 

7. 

Minutes 

Minutes shall be taken and agreed upon by both permanent 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 secretaries and chair of the Joint Committee. 

8. 

Publicity 

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public. 

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3) 

Rules  of  Procedure  of  the  “Research,  Innovation,  Information  Society,  Audiovisual 
and Media, Education and Culture” subcommittee 

1. 

Composition and Chair  

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives 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 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 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  and  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 arise in the sectors below and shall suggest 
possible steps to be undertaken: 

(a) education and vocational 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 horizontal 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 Union and an official of the Palestinian Authority shall act jointly as 

permanent secretaries of the subcommittee. 

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries. 

5. 

Meetings 

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances 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 

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pass  the  request  onto  the  other  party.  Upon  receipt  of  a  request  for  a  subcommittee  meeting,  the 
permanent secretary of the other party shall 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. 

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  shall  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 her 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 account of urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both 
parties agree. 

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting. 

7. 

Minutes 

Minutes shall be taken and agreed upon by both permanent 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 secretaries and chair of the Joint Committee. 

8. 

Publicity 

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public. 

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4) 

1. 

Rules of Procedure of the “Economic and Financial Matters” subcommittee 

Composition and Chair  

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives 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 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 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  and  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 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 horizontal 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 Union and an official of the Palestinian Authority shall act jointly as 
permanent secretaries of the subcommittee. 

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries. 

5. 

Meetings 

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances 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  receipt  of  a  request  for  a  subcommittee  meeting,  the 
permanent secretary of the other party shall 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. 

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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  shall  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 her 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 account of urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both 
parties agree. 

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting. 

7. 

Minutes 

Minutes shall be taken and agreed upon by both permanent 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 secretaries and chair of the Joint Committee. 

8. 

Publicity 

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public. 

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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 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 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 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  and  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 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 medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); 

(g) customs issues; 

(h) taxation. 

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 matters 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 forwarded to the secretaries. 

5. 

Meetings 

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The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances 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  receipt  of  a  request  for  a  subcommittee  meeting,  the 
permanent secretary of the other party shall 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. 

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  shall  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 her 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 account of urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both 
parties agree. 

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting. 

7. 

Minutes 

Minutes shall be taken and agreed upon by both permanent 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 secretaries and chair of the Joint Committee. 

8. 

Publicity 

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public. 

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6) 

Rules of Procedure of the “Energy, Transport, Climate Change, Environment, 
Water” subcommittee 

1. 

Composition and Chair  

The  subcommittee  shall  be  composed  of  representatives  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  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 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 and 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  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 matters 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 forwarded to the secretaries. 

5. 

Meetings 

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances 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  receipt  of  a  request  for  a 
subcommittee  meeting,  the  permanent  secretary  of  the  other  party  shall  reply  within  fifteen 
working days. 

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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. 

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  shall  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 her 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 account of urgent matters, these time limits may be 
shortened provided both parties agree. 

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting. 

7. 

Minutes 

Minutes shall be taken and agreed upon by both permanent 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 secretaries and chair of the Joint Committee. 

8. 

Publicity 

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public. 

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