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U.S.-Israel Formal Agreements: Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in the Field of Housing and Community Development

(June 22, 2000)

The Ministry of Construction and Housing of Israel and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development;

SHARING a dedication to promoting the interests of housing in the two countries and to the ideas of a democratic society with equal opportunity for all;

ACKNOWLEDGING the dose cooperative relationship which exists between our governments;

DESIRING to promote cooperation between their staffs in the field of housing and community development* explore solutions to problems of mutual concern through collaborative efforts, and share and exchange information on the efficiency of and services programs

Have reached the following Understanding

Article 1

To realize the benefits of cooperation pursuant to this Memorandum of Understanding the Ministry of Construction and Housing of Israel and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development expect to initiate a Bi-National Commission on Housing and Community Development (hereafter, the Bi-National Commission) to develop cooperative activities as specified below, or as may be subsequently decided upon.

Article 2

The Bi-National Commission is to be jointly chaired by the United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Israel Minister of Construction and Housing. Together, they intend to oversee the development of a work plan specifying the areas of cooperation and involving officials from both government and the private sector in project implementation.

Article 3

The areas of cooperation under consideration in the initial phase of this bilateral cooperation are the following:

a. Affordable housing program;

b. Urban revitalization strategies;

c. Policy research issues in housing and community development;

d. Construction technology, architecture;

e. Community/economic development Program,*

f. Mortgage finance;

g. Other areas of mutual interest of the Ministry of Construction and Housing of Israel and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Article 4

Cooperative activities initiated under this Memorandum of Understanding are to be conducted on the basis of equality, reciprocity, and mutual benefit. Such cooperation may be implemented through:

(a) exchange of delegations. Professionals, and specialists, to include study visits, and pilot projects;

(b) exchange of information, standards, regulations and procedures, to include publication and monographs;

(c) organization of joint conferences, seminars, workshops and meetings; or

(d) joint research projects.

Article 5

All activities undertaken pursuant to this Memorandum of Understanding subject to the respective laws and regulations applicable in the United State and Israel. The activities undertaken pursuant to this Memorandum of Understanding are subject to the concurrence of the Ministry of Construction and Housing of Israel and the United States Department of Housing ad Urban Development and shall relate only to housing and community development in the two countries.

Article 6

The nature and extent of cooperative activities undertaken pursuant to this Memorandum of undemanding are to be determined by the consent of the Ministry of Construction and Housing of Israel and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and are subject to the availability of personnel and duly authorized ad appropriated, funds. Each side should bear the costs for its participation in such activities unless decided otherwise.

Article 7

Overall coordination should rest with the Office of Policy Development and Research of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and with the Department of International Relations of the Ministry of Construction and Housing. Representatives of these offices should meet as necessary to review the implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding and to develop future cooperative activities within the framework of this Memorandum, of Understanding. Both sides may designate coordinators for each cooperative activity that is undertaken. Coordinators may serve, as the initial points of contact for the implementation and further development of cooperative activities. Private sector experts, should be encouraged to take part, to the extent feasible, in project implementation work.

Article 8

The Ministry of Construction and Housing of Israel and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development also expect that there will be high level meetings periodically between the two countries to review the progress of the activities undertaken pursuant to this Memorandum of Understanding and to consult upon future activities.

Article 9

a. This Memorandum of Understanding will be effected upon written notification that the Ministry of Construction 'and Housing of Israel and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development have satisfied respective approval procedures and continue for a period of five (5) years.

b. The Memorandum of Understanding may be amended or extended by the written consent of the Ministry of Construction and Housing of Israel and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

c. Either the Ministry of Construction and Housing of Israel or the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development may terminate this Memorandum of Understanding after one hundred and twenty days written notification to the other party of its intention to do so.


Sources: Israeli Foreign Ministry