Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office on the UK-Israel Strategic Partnership
Published 29 November 2021
© Crown copyright 2021
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Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on the UK-Israel Strategic Partnership
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Israel and The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Participants’);
With a view to enhancing the friendly cooperation and exchanges between the Participants and further promoting the bilateral relations between the two countries;
Have reached the following understanding:
Paragraph 1
The Participants will immediately commence consultations on the development of a bespoke UK-Israel Bilateral Roadmap (hereinafter referred to as “the Roadmap”) to extend and deepen bilateral and multilateral cooperation, across shared priorities, including:
(a) Diplomacy
Enhancing the close diplomatic cooperation between the MFA and FCDO through mechanism of annual political consultations (DG, Political Director, DDG for International organizations, DDG for Strategic Affairs among others). The consultations will focus on bilateral relations, regional security, counter terrorism, proliferation, global issues and increased cooperation in the multilateral arena.
(b) Defence and security
Cognisant of the importance of joint cooperation in the fields of defence and security as part of the UK-Israel partnership, the UK and Israel will continue their direct and professional bilateral development of the strong defence and security relationship within the existing frameworks between the sides.
(c) Economy
Enhancing the bilateral economic relationship for the benefit of both economies and mutual investments, including a UK–Israel Innovation Summit in March 2022 and the development of a new, higher ambition free trade agreement.
(d) Cyber
Deepening bilateral cooperation on cyber to increase resilience and shared prosperity.
(e) Science
Strengthen the scientific relationship between both countries to drive mutual productivity and economic growth.
(f) Technology
Maximising opportunities for our respective innovation, technology and finance ecosystems.
(g) Climate
Increasing UK-Israel collaboration on climate innovation to tackle the shared challenge of the climate crisis and maximise opportunities.
(h) Health
Increasing cooperation on research and development, sharing expert best practice and increasing cooperation on healthcare resilience.
(i) Development
Building UK-Israel cooperation to support development of low and middle income countries.
(j) Gender
Increasing cooperation including in the multilateral arena on gender equality and implementation of UNSCR 1325 on Women Peace and Security.
Through this Roadmap, we will elevate the UK-Israel relationship to a Strategic Partnership. The Roadmap will guide cooperation for the next 10 years.
Paragraph 2
The Participants will hold consultations at Foreign Minister level, with the intention of finalising the Roadmap in 2022. Details on the procedures of the consultations will be decided by the Participants through diplomatic channels.
Paragraph 3
The Participants may, by joint decision and in cases of necessity, establish an expert or a working group for the consideration of any specific issue. Such group may, if it deems expedient, include representatives of the relevant institutions.
Paragraph 4
This Memorandum may be modified at any time by the joint written decision of the Participants. This Memorandum will come into effect on the date of signature by both Participants. Any dispute about the interpretation or application of this Memorandum will be resolved by consultations between the Participants and will not be referred to any national or international tribunal or third party for settlement.
The foregoing represents the understanding reached between the Participants on the matters referred to in this Memorandum.
Signed at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, London, on 29 November 2021, in two copies in the English language, both being equally authentic.
For the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Of the state of Israel
For the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland