NICARAGUA-VENEZUELA AGREEMENT ON TECHNICAL

UNCLAS MANAGUA 000637 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CEN, WHA/EPSC, OES HHS FOR OGHA/LHOFFMAN, RCORREA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO OSCI EAID ECIN NU VE SUBJECT: NICARAGUA-VENEZUELA AGREEMENT ON TECHNICAL COOPERATION IN HEALTH AND MEDICINE ¶1. (SBU) Summary. As part of a series of ALBA agreements between Nicaraguan and Venezuela signed on January 11, 2007, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan Ministers of Foreign Relations also signed an Agreement on Technical Cooperation in the Areas of Health and Medicine. The agreement sets out a general framework for undertaking cooperative activities and exchanges, and mentions a number of specific activities. A joint oversight commission will monitor and oversee activities under the agreement. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) An Agreement on Technical Cooperation in the Areas of Health and Medicine was one of a series of thirteen commitments with Venezuela negotiated by the Ortega government before it came to power on January 10, 2007. Nicaraguan Minister of Foreign Relations Samuel Santos and Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Relations Nicolas Maduro Moros signed the agreement on January 11, 2007. The substance of the agreement, along with the other commitments made that day, was kept from the public for weeks. This cable reports on an unsigned copy of this agreement obtained by the Embassy. Preambular Language -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Preambular language speaks to the desire to forge closer cooperation in the fight against poverty and inequality through coordinating bilateral and international efforts to implement efficient policies, programs, and projects in the area of health and medicine. The two countries recognize that cooperation helps to integrate the societies of the two countries and strengthen the promotion of health. Article 1: Cooperation -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The parties pledge to promote and intensify cooperation in the area of health through a mutually collaborative relationship directed toward education and training, as well as the exchange of knowledge, experiences, services, supplies, and technology, according to the principles of equality, mutual respect for sovereignty, reciprocity, and conforming to respective internal laws and what is envisioned by this agreement. Article II: Activities -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The parties agree that said cooperation will comprise the following areas: -- education and training of human resources, through the undertaking of workshops, intensive courses, undergraduate and post graduate studies in general medicine, pediatric cardiovascular surgery and anesthesia, general odontologia, blood disease therapy, radiology, anesthesia, health services administration, epidemiology, and occupational health; -- exchange of experiences and information, as well as technical advisories and research in health policy and information systems, management and organization of public health systems, diseases, immunizations, a reduction in maternal and infant mortality, sanitary control (including medical registries, manufacturing good practices, and certification of product quality); -- surgical attention for patients with congenital cardiopathies at the Latin American Children's Cardiological Hospital Gilberto Rodriguez Ochoa; -- strengthening the public health system of Nicaragua, through cooperative projects as described at Barrio Adentro; -- technical assistance in health, providing benefits to both parties, among those highlighted is the supply of pharmaceuticals for the control and prevention of diseases, such as HIV/AIDS; -- technology transfer in areas of common Agreement as defined by the parties; -- other areas that may be proposed and considered of mutual interest by parties to this agreement. Article 3: Responsible Authorities -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Responsible entities are the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health and the Venezuelan Ministry of Health. Article 4: Programs of Action -------------- ¶7. (SBU) The parities will jointly elaborate specific programs of action, containing activities and projects to be developed, with a description of objectives, an implementation period, work plan, estimated costs, financial resources, technical requirements as well as other conditions that may be established, and designating the financial and operational obligations of each of the parities. Responsible authorities will have the right to evaluate programs and make necessary recommendations to their respective governments to improve the execution of programs. Articles 5-7: Oversight -------------- ¶8. (SBU) The parties will joint create an oversight commission, staffed by representatives from the ministries of health in both countries. Members shall be nominated within 30 days of entry into force of this agreement. Among the functions of this oversight commission will be to coordinate activities within the framework of this agreement and present a biannual report to the parties in the agreement that reflects, advances, and recommends actions to achieve the objectives of this agreement. The oversight commission will meet alternatively in Venezuela and Nicaragua as agreed by the parties. The host country will be responsible for conducting the meetings. Article 8: Intellectual Property -------------- ¶9. (SBU) The activities mentioned in the current agreement will be subject to judicial requirements in both countries, especially activities in reference to the transfer of technology or products that involve patent or intellectual property rights. The parties will take precautions that they consider convenient with the purpose of preserving genetic material originally under their protection or conservation. In as much as scientific and technological information exchange is concerned, the parties will designate, when they judge necessary, restrictions for their diffusion. Article 9: Disputes -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Disputes will be resolved through direct diplomatic negotiations between the parties. Article 10: Amendments -------------- ¶11. (SBU) Agreement may be modified by mutual consent. Modifications will enter into effect via Article IX negotiations. Article 11: Entry Into Force, Duration, Renewal -------------- -- ¶12. (SBU) This agreement enters into force upon the last communication between the parties notifying the fulfillment of all constitutional and internal legal requirements. The duration of the agreement is 5 years; renewal for equal periods is automatic, unless either party notifies the other of its intention at least six months before the termination of the agreement. Either party may withdraw from this agreement three months after written diplomatic notification. Withdrawal will not affect projects and programs still being implemented, unless the parties say otherwise. TRIVELLI