MEMORANDUM
OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA & GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES ON EXPERIENCE EXCHANGE ON GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENT AND MODERNIZATION

("Off. Herald of RS - Treaties", No. 3/2022)

BUILDING ON the close bilateral relations and the current cooperation between the governments of the Republic of Serbia and the United Arab Emirates;

ACKNOWLEDGING the importance of developing government services, promoting government capabilities and performance assessment systems in ministries and government entities;

CONSIDERING the two countries’ desire to enhance cooperation and establish an institutional framework to enhance and develop cooperation between the two friendly countries in the relevant fields;

RECOGNIZING the role of the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs in the UAE and its focus on supporting UAE federal government entities in areas such as: coordinating, preparing and following up on the implementation of the UAE government strategy, reviewing the strategic and operational plans, reviewing policies proposed by ministries, federal entities and institutions, managing and developing the institutional performance assessment system in ministries, federal entities and institutions, proposing policies related to developing the efficiency, effectiveness and performance of the government sector and leading efforts for enhancing customer service excellence, developing the leadership capabilities of the UAE government ministries, federal entities and institutions, and coordinating efforts to enhance the competitiveness of the UAE government;

RECOGNIZING the role of the Office of the Prime Ministar of the Republic of Serbia which prepares measures by which the Prime Minister leads and directs the Government, coordinates the work of members of the Government and takes care of cooperation of the Prime Minister with representatives of foreign states and international organizations;

STRIVING to develop a mutual beneficial relationship of partnership and cooperation between the agile and future-oriented governments of the Republic of Serbia and the United Arab Emirates and to advance economic, technological, environmental and social benefits derived from implementing government enhancement capabilities, services and assessment services policies and innovation programs; and

CONSISTENT with the governing laws of the respective countries:

The Republic of Serbia and the United Arab Emirates (hereinafter referred as" the Parties") have reached the following understanding:

Article (1)

Purpose of the MoU

The purpose of this MoU is to develop joint efforts aiming to promote institutional capabilities and enhance governance in the field of developing government work, building institutional capacities and skills for the future, and any other areas as may be discussed and agreed upon later.

Article (2)

Scope of Work

The Parties shall cooperate in developing government work by sharing knowledge and mutual experience, guides and development models in the relevant areas of cooperation.

Article (3)

Areas of Cooperation

The areas of cooperation focus on exchanging knowledge, experiences and best practices in capacity building for digital government, digital economy, artificial intelligence, science & innovation, education, coding, business incubators, creative industries & tourism and any other areas as may be agreed upon between the two Parties.

Article (4)

Financial Liabilities

This MoU shall not entail any financial liabilities on the two Parties. Each Party shall bear any expenses related to its working group during the joint cooperation, including all expenses related to travel and participation in seminars and workshops, unless otherwise indicated in writing or if either Party offers to host the other Party at its expense.

Article (5)

Confidentiality

All the information disclosed hereinunder and any documents exchanged later shall be deemed confidential. The two Parties shall adopt all the necessary security measures to protect the confidentiality of information and prevent it from becoming publicly availed or coming into the possession of any unauthorized parties or entities.

Article (6)

Coordination between Entities and Technical Peers

The two Parties shall form a joint technical committee to ensure the effective implementation this MoU. The two Parties have the right to form expert working groups to support the various joint initiatives and projects.

Article (7)

Specific Agreements

The two Parties shall, by mutual consent, enter into specific agreements in accordance with the general purpose and scope specified herein.

Article (8)

Dispute Settlement

This MoU shall be implemented in accordance with the applicable laws and respective international obligations of both countries.

The two Parties expressly agree that, should any dispute arise as regards the interpretation or implementation of the provisions of this MoU, it shall be resolved in consultation between the two Parties without resorting to any national or international court or any third party, based on the principles of good faith and reciprocity.

Article (9)

General Provisions

This MoU shall become effective on the date of its signature and shall remain in effect for a period of three (3) years. It shall be tacitly renewed for equal successive periods unless either Party terminates this MoU at any time upon sending 30 days’ written notice to the other Party prior to the expiry date. The termination or suspension of this MoU shall in no way entail the responsibility of any Party to implement any of its obligations stipulated herein.

Signed in Dubai, on 12 May 2022, in two original copies; each in Serbian, Arabic and English.

Signature
Ana Brnabić
Prime Minister
The Republic of Serbia

 

Signature
Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi
Minister of Cabinet Affairs
United Arab Emirates