Kuwait ratifies defense cooperation agreement with Pakistan

The Decree-Law stipulates that the ministers, each within their jurisdiction, shall implement its provisions, and it shall take effect from the date of its publication in the official gazette. The explanatory memorandum stated that the agreement affirms the political and diplomatic understanding, religious ties, traditions and heritage between the two countries, and strengthens their cooperation, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. Article One of the Decree-Law defines the basis for cooperation in the fields of defense and armed forces training, according to the applicable local laws and regulations of each party and their international obligations.

The agreement covers cooperation in military training, education, armed forces, logistics, exchange of personnel, experts, technicians and specialists, scientific and technological fields, military intelligence, information and electronic communications systems, military and defense industries, military media, exchange of sports, cultural and social activities, and any other areas as agreed by both parties. It stipulates the preparation of annual plans for joint activities, such as military training, education and joint exercises, through executive protocols and programs, in addition to the exchange of visits at various levels.

The Ministry of Defense in the State of Kuwait and its counterpart in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan are the entities responsible for implementing the agreement. The agreement mandates the formation of a joint military committee consisting of representatives of both sides to coordinate and implement military cooperation. The defense ministers of the two countries shall appoint the co-chairs of the committee, which meets annually, alternating between Kuwait and Pakistan.

The committee is in charge of reviewing past cooperation activities and approving the new bilateral cooperation plan, including activities, related topics, implementation mechanisms, schedules, locations and responsible parties. It includes an article on the protection of confidential information, obligating both parties to maintain the confidentiality of exchanged information, documents and materials, to take the necessary security measures to protect them, and not to transfer them to any third party without the written consent of the issuing party. The levels of confidentiality are defined and access is restricted to authorized personnel.

Both parties are obligated to guarantee the confidentiality of information even after the agreement expires. The agreement addressed intellectual property rights arising from the collaboration, granting each party intellectual property rights for research conducted independently. Rights are shared for jointly conducted research and activities, and these rights should not be transferred to any third party without the other party’s consent. It outlined the mechanisms for marketing the shared technology and using the official names and logos of both parties.

On the financial side, the agreement stipulates the principle of reciprocity, whereby the receiving party shoulders the travel expenses for official domestic missions, including accommodation and emergency medical treatment for the sending party’s guests during the agreed official visits of up to one week, unless otherwise agreed by both parties. The agreement affirmed that its provisions neither conflict with the laws in the two countries nor affect the rights or obligations arising from other international treaties and agreements to which either party is a signatory.

It indicated that disputes about the interpretation or application of the agreement shall be settled amicably through negotiations and consultations between the representatives of the two parties, without referring to any third party or any local or international court. The obligations stipulated in the agreement shall continue to be implemented during the dispute resolution period, except where otherwise specified.

The agreement permits amendments to its provisions through the written consent of both parties, with the amendments taking effect in accordance with the prescribed constitutional and legal procedures. The agreement takes effect after the exchange of written notifications through diplomatic channels, confirming the completion of the necessary internal procedures. It can be terminated through a written notice, effective six months from its receipt. Existing projects shall continue to be implemented until their completion. The agreement is valid for five years and will be renewed automatically for a similar period unless either party notifies the other in writing of its intention to terminate it six months prior to its expiry