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 |