(21 April 1988)
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PREAMBLE
The parties to this Memorandum of Agreement reaffirm the close relationship between the United States of America and Israel, based upon common goals, interests, and values; welcome the achievements made in strategic, economic, industrial, and technological cooperation; recognize the mutual benefits of the United States-Israel Free Trade Agreement; take note of United States economic and security assistance to Israel; and note that Israel is currently designated, for the purposes of Section 1105 of the 1987 National Defense Authorization Act, as a major non-NATO ally of the United States. The parties wish to enhance their relationship through the establishment of a comprehensive framework for continued consultation and cooperation and have reached the following agreements in order to achieve this aim.
ARTICLE I
The United States and Israel recognize the value of their unique dialogue and agree to continue frequent consultations and periodic meetings between the President and the Prime Minister, between the Secretary of State and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, between the Secretary of Defense and the Minister of Defense, and between other Cabinet-level officials. In these meetings, international and bilateral issues of immediate and significant concern to both countries will be discussed as appropriate.
ARTICLE II
A. The Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs will meet regularly for a Joint Political Consultation (JPC) to discuss a wide range of international issues of mutual interest with a view toward increasing their mutual understanding and appreciation of these issues.
B. The United States Agency for International Development and Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Division of International Cooperation (Mashav) meet periodically to coordinate and facilitate, as appropriate, programs of cooperative assistance to developing countries.
ARTICLE III
The United States and Israel reaffirm the importance of the following U.S.-Israel Joint Groups: 6970 U.S.-ISRAEL STRATEGIC COOPERATION
A. The Joint Political Military Group (JPMG) is the forum in which the two states discuss and implement, pursuant to existing arrangements, joint cooperative efforts such as combined planning, joint exercises, and logistics. The JPMG also discusses current political-military issues of mutual strategic concern.
1. The JPMG is a binational, interagency group co-chaired by the Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Politico-Military Affairs.
2. The JPMG normally meets biannually, alternating between Israel and the United States.
B. The Joint Security Assistance Planning Group (JSAP) is the forum in which the two states review Israel’s requests for security assistance in light of current threat assessments and U.S. budgetary capabilities and agree upon proposed levels of security assistance. The JSAP also discusses issues related to security assistance, such as industrial and technological cooperation, as well as issues related to Israel’s inclusion among those countries currently designated as major non-NATO allies of the United States for the purpose of cooperative research and development under Section 1105 of the 1987 National Defense Authorization Act.
1. The JSAP is a binational, interagency group co-chaired by the Director General of the Ministry of Defense and the Under Secretary of State for Security Assistance, Science, and Technology.
2. The JSAP currently meets annually, in Washington, D.C.
C. The Joint Economic Development Group (JEDG) is the forum which discusses developments in Israel’s economy. With a view to stimulating economic growth and self-reliance, the JEDG exchanges views on Israeli economic policy planning, stabilization efforts, and structural reform. The JEDG also evaluates Israel’s requests for U.S. economic assistance.
1. The JEDG is a binational, interagency group co-chaired by the Director General of the Ministry of Finance and the Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs. The group includes private U.S. and Israeli economists invited by their respective countries.
2. The JEDG currently meets biannually, alternating between the United States and Israel.
ARTICLE IV
This Memorandum of Agreement does not derogate from any existing agreements or undertakings between the two states nor in any way prejudices the rights and obligations of either state under the Charter of the United Nations or under international law. In accordance with the above, the parties reaffirm their aspirations to live in peace with all countries. This agreement shall come into effect upon signature, shall be valid for an initial period of five years, and shall thereafter be renewed for additional periods of five years unless either party notifies the other prior to the expiration of a five year period that it wishes to terminate the agreement.Appendix HI