Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development of Canada and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel Regarding “an Enduring Diplomatic Partnership” – Foreign Ministry Cooperation

The Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development of Canada and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel, hereinafter referred to as the “Participants”,

Seeking to uphold the understandings reached in the Memorandum of Understanding between Canada and Israel regarding a Canada-Israel Strategic Partnership, signed at Jerusalem on 21 January 2014, to strengthen their bilateral relationship,

Reaffirming their commitment to enhance their respective and collective international capabilities and building on already substantial foundations,

Recalling the desire to expand diplomatic cooperation and consultation to deepen bilateral linkages and broaden mutual understanding,

Recognizing that Foreign Ministry cooperation is a key component in enhancing the diplomatic partnership,

Have come to the following understanding:

1. Diplomatic Staff Exchanges: Recognizing the central role diplomatic staff can play in deepening the Canada-Israel partnership,
   The Participants will endeavor to:
   1. Establish a diplomatic exchange program for selected diplomatic staff assigned to the Embassy of Canada in the State of Israel and the Embassy of the State of Israel in Canada;
   2. Determine the terms and conditions of the above-mentioned program in a separate arrangement, taking into account their respective security requirements
2. Enhanced Dialogue: Recognizing the importance of improved information exchanges and the value-added that can come from enhanced dialogue between Canadian and Israeli diplomats,
   The Participants will:
   1. Establish a “virtual” speakers program, creating a platform for live broadcast presentations by the Canadian Deputy Ministers or Assistant Deputy Ministers, the Israeli Director General, Political Director or Deputy Directors General, for audiences from the other Foreign Ministry, on subjects to be mutually decided upon;
   2. Encourage Canadian and Israeli Heads of Mission and/or other diplomatic staff to participate in in-person briefings and consultations in their respective capitals.
3. Social Media Collaboration: Recognizing the increasingly important role social media plays in communicating Government positions and perspectives,
   The Participants will:
   1. Share best practices on the use of social media and direct diplomacy;
   2. Collaborate on social media training initiatives.
   3. Carry out these initiatives in person or virtually through the use of communications technology as they may mutually decide upon.
4. Activities: The Participants will conduct all their activities under this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in accordance with their respective national laws.
5. Difference in interpretation and implementation: The Participants will resolve any differences in the interpretation or implementation of this MOU through friendly consultations.
6. Funding: The Participants understand that the activities carried out under this MOU are subject to the availibility of their respective resources.
7. Final Provisions:
   1. This MOU will come into effect on the date of its signature by the Participants and will remain in effect for a period of five years. It will be automatically extended for additional periods of five years.
   2. The Participants may amend this MOU upon their mutual written consent.
   3. A Participant may terminate this MOU by giving a written six (6) months notice of its intention to terminate to the other Participant.

Signed in duplicate at Jerusalem on this 18 day of January 2015, which corresponds to the 27 day of Tevet 5775 in the Hebrew calendar, in the English, French and Hebrew languages, all versions being equally valid.

John Baird
For the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada

Avigdor Lieberman
For the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel