HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"L 187/64
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Official Journal of the European Union
17.7.2012
ACTS ADOPTED BY BODIES CREATED BY
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
DECISION No 1/2012 OF THE EU-PLO JOINT COMMITTEE
of 17 February 2012
setting up six subcommittees and repealing Decision No 1/2008 of the EC-PLO Joint Committee
(2012/396/EU)
THE JOINT COMMITTEE,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Having regard to the Euro-Mediterranean Interim Association
Article 1
Agreement on trade and cooperation between the European
Community, of the one part, and the Palestine Liberation
The six subcommittees of the EU-PLO Joint Committee, listed in
Organisation (PLO) for the benefit of the Palestinian Authority
Annex I, are hereby set up.
of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, of the other part ( 1 ) (‘the
Interim Association Agreement’),
Their rules of procedure, as set out in Annex II, are hereby
adopted.
Whereas:
The EU-PLO Joint Committee will take any action needed to
(1)
Article 66 of the Interim Association Agreement provides
ensure that the subcommittees operate properly. It may further
for the setting up of any other committee (‘subcom
decide to set up groups or to abolish existing groups.
mittee’) that can assist the EU-PLO Joint Committee in
carrying out its duties.
Article 2
Decision No 1/2008 of the EC-PLO Joint Committee is
(2) The
functioning
of
the
European
Neighbourhood
Policy repealed.
and its Action Plans in a wide range of sectoral areas
requires the establishment of a new set of subcom
mittees.
Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.
(3)
The Interim Association Agreement has entered a new
phase of implementation in the context of the European
Neighbourhood Policy and developments in the region.
Done at Brussels, 17 February 2012.
(4)
The Palestinian Authority has requested that the number
of subcommittees be increased.
For the EU-PLO Joint Committee
(5) Decision
No
1/2008
of
the
EC-PLO
Joint
Committee
The President
should therefore be repealed,
H. MINGARELLI
( 1 ) OJ L 187, 16.7.1997, p. 3.

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ANNEX I
SUBCOMMITTEES ATTACHED TO THE EU-PLO JOINT COMMITTEE
1. The ‘Human Rights, Good Governance and Rule of Law’ subcommittee
2. The ‘Social Affairs and Health’ subcommittee
3. The ‘Research, Innovation, Information Society, Audiovisual and Media, Education and Culture’ subcommittee
4. The ‘Economic and Financial Matters’ subcommittee
5. The ‘Trade and Internal Market, Industry, Agriculture and Fisheries, Customs’ subcommittee
6. The ‘Energy, Transport, Climate Change, Environment, Water’ subcommittee

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ANNEX II
1. Rules of Procedure of the ‘Human Rights, Good Governance and Rule of Law’ subcommittee
1. Composition and Chair
The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Union and representatives of the Pales
tinian Authority. It shall be chaired alternately by the two parties.
2. Role
The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Joint Committee, to which it shall report after each
meeting. The subcommittee shall not have any decision-making power but may submit proposals to the Joint
Committee.
3. Matters of discussion
The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Interim Association Agreement and the related European
Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan in the sectors listed below and shall assess progress on the objectives and
actions which have been identified and agreed upon in the Action Plan.
Where relevant, the subcommittee shall discuss cooperation in public administration matters. In this context, it
shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken:
(a) human rights;
(b) good governance;
(c) rule of law.
The above list is not exhaustive and other sectors, including horizontal sectors, may be added by a decision of the
Joint Committee.
The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.
4. Secretariat
An official of the European Union and an official of the Palestinian Authority shall act jointly as permanent
secretaries of the subcommittee.
All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.
5. Meetings
The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened on the basis of a
request from the chair of either party, channelled through its permanent secretary, who shall pass the request onto
the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the permanent secretary of the other party
shall reply within 15 working days.
In cases of particular urgency, the subcommittee may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of
both parties. All requests to convene meetings shall be in writing.
Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.
The meetings shall be convened by the permanent secretary in charge, in agreement with the chair. Before each
meeting, the chair shall be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.
If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings in order to provide the specific
information required.
6. Agenda of the meetings
All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the permanent secretaries.
A provisional agenda shall be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the permanent
secretary in charge to his counterpart no later than 10 days before the beginning of the meeting.
The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the permanent secretaries have received a request
for inclusion in the agenda no later than 15 days before the beginning of the meeting. Supporting documentation
shall be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of the meeting. To take account of urgent matters, these
time limits may be shortened provided both parties agree.

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The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.
7. Minutes
Minutes shall be taken and agreed upon by the permanent secretaries after each meeting. A copy of the minutes,
including the subcommittee’s proposals, shall be forwarded by the permanent secretaries of the subcommittee to
the secretaries and chair of the Joint Committee.
8. Publicity
Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.
2. Rules of Procedure of the ‘Social Affairs and Health’ subcommittee
1. Composition and Chair
The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Union and representatives of the Pales
tinian Authority. It shall be chaired alternately by the two parties.
2. Role
The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Joint Committee, to which it shall report after each
meeting. The subcommittee shall not have any decision-making power but may submit proposals to the Joint
Committee.
3. Matters of discussion
The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Interim Association Agreement and the related European
Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan in the sectors listed below and shall assess progress on the objectives and
actions which have been identified and agreed upon in the Action Plan.
Where relevant, the subcommittee shall discuss cooperation in public administration matters. In this context, it
shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken:
(a) employment and social development;
(b) public health.
The above list is not exhaustive and other sectors, including horizontal sectors, may be added by a decision of the
Joint Committee.
The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.
4. Secretariat
An official of the European Union and an official of the Palestinian Authority shall act jointly as permanent
secretaries of the subcommittee.
All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.
5. Meetings
The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened on the basis of a
request from the chair of either party, channelled through its permanent secretary, who shall pass the request onto
the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the permanent secretary of the other party
shall reply within 15 working days.
In cases of particular urgency, the subcommittee may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of
both parties. All requests to convene meetings shall be in writing.
Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.
The meetings shall be convened by the permanent secretary in charge, in agreement with the chair. Before each
meeting, the chair shall be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.
If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings in order to provide the specific
information required.
6. Agenda of the meetings
All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the permanent secretaries.
A provisional agenda shall be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the permanent
secretary in charge to his counterpart no later than 10 days before the beginning of the meeting.

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The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the permanent secretaries have received a
request for inclusion in the agenda no later than 15 days before the beginning of the meeting. Supporting
documentation shall be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of the meeting. To take account of
urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both parties agree.
The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.
7. Minutes
Minutes shall be taken and agreed upon by the permanent secretaries after each meeting. A copy of the minutes,
including the subcommittee’s proposals, shall be forwarded by the permanent secretaries of the subcommittee to
the secretaries and chair of the Joint Committee.
8. Publicity
Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.
3. Rules of Procedure of the ‘Research, Innovation, Information Society, Audiovisual and Media, Education and
Culture’ subcommittee
1. Composition and Chair
The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Union and representatives of the Pales
tinian Authority. It shall be chaired alternately by the two parties.
2. Role
The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Joint Committee, to which it shall report after each
meeting. The subcommittee shall not have any decision-making power but may submit proposals to the Joint
Committee.
3. Matters of discussion
The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Interim Association Agreement and the related European
Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan in the sectors listed below and shall assess progress on the objectives and
actions which have been identified and agreed upon in the Action Plan.
Where relevant, the subcommittee shall discuss cooperation in public administration matters. In this context, it
shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken:
(a) education and vocational training;
(b) culture;
(c) youth;
(d) information society and audiovisual and media policy;
(e) science and technology;
(f) research and development.
The above list is not exhaustive and other sectors, including horizontal sectors, may be added by a decision of the
Joint Committee.
The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.
4. Secretariat
An official of the European Union and an official of the Palestinian Authority shall act jointly as permanent
secretaries of the subcommittee.
All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.
5. Meetings
The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened on the basis of a
request from the chair of either party, channelled through its permanent secretary, who shall pass the request onto
the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the permanent secretary of the other party
shall reply within 15 working days.
In cases of particular urgency, the subcommittee may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of
both parties. All requests to convene meetings shall be in writing.

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Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.
The meetings shall be convened by the permanent secretary in charge, in agreement with the chair. Before each
meeting, the chair shall be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.
If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings in order to provide the specific
information required.
6. Agenda of the meetings
All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the permanent secretaries.
A provisional agenda shall be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the permanent
secretary in charge to his counterpart no later than 10 days before the beginning of the meeting.
The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the permanent secretaries have received a
request for inclusion in the agenda no later than 15 days before the beginning of the meeting. Supporting
documentation shall be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of the meeting. To take account of
urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both parties agree.
The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.
7. Minutes
Minutes shall be taken and agreed upon by the permanent secretaries after each meeting. A copy of the minutes,
including the subcommittee’s proposals, shall be forwarded by the permanent secretaries of the subcommittee to
the secretaries and chair of the Joint Committee.
8. Publicity
Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.
4. Rules of Procedure of the ‘Economic and Financial Matters’ subcommittee
1. Composition and Chair
The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Union and representatives of the Pales
tinian Authority. It shall be chaired alternately by the two parties.
2. Role
The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Joint Committee, to which it shall report after each
meeting. The subcommittee shall not have any decision-making power but may submit proposals to the Joint
Committee.
3. Subject-Matters of discussion
The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Interim Association Agreement and the related European
Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan in the sectors listed below and shall assess progress on the objectives and
actions which have been identified and agreed upon in the Action Plan.
Where relevant, the subcommittee shall discuss cooperation in public administration matters. In this context, it
shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken:
(a) financial accountability and sound management of public finances;
(b) economic reform and development;
(c) statistics.
The above list is not exhaustive and other sectors, including horizontal sectors, may be added by a decision of the
Joint Committee.
The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.
4. Secretariat
An official of the European Union and an official of the Palestinian Authority shall act jointly as permanent
secretaries of the subcommittee.
All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

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5. Meetings
The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened on the basis of a
request from the chair of either party, channelled through its permanent secretary, who shall pass the request onto
the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the permanent secretary of the other party
shall reply within 15 working days.
In cases of particular urgency, the subcommittee may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of
both parties. All requests to convene meetings shall be in writing.
Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.
The meetings shall be convened by the permanent secretary in charge, in agreement with the chair. Before each
meeting, the chair shall be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.
If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings in order to provide the specific
information required.
6. Agenda of the meetings
All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the permanent secretaries.
A provisional agenda shall be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the permanent
secretary in charge to his counterpart no later than 10 days before the beginning of the meeting.
The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the permanent secretaries have received a
request for inclusion in the agenda no later than 15 days before the beginning of the meeting. Supporting
documentation shall be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of the meeting. To take account of
urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both parties agree.
The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.
7. Minutes
Minutes shall be taken and agreed upon by the permanent secretaries after each meeting. A copy of the minutes,
including the subcommittee’s proposals, shall be forwarded by the permanent secretaries of the subcommittee to
the secretaries and chair of the Joint Committee.
8. Publicity
Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.
5. Rules of Procedure of the ‘Trade and Internal Market, Industry, Agriculture and Fisheries, Customs’ subcom
mittee
1. Composition and Chair
The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Union and representatives of the Pales
tinian Authority. It shall be chaired alternately by the two parties.
2. Role
The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Joint Committee, to which it shall report after each
meeting. The subcommittee shall not have any decision-making power but may submit proposals to the Joint
Committee.
3. Matters of discussion
The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Interim Association Agreement and the related European
Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan in the sectors listed below and shall assess progress on the objectives and
actions which have been identified and agreed upon in the Action Plan.
Where relevant, the subcommittee shall discuss cooperation in public administration matters. In this context, it
shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken:
(a) trade-related issues;
(b) agriculture and fisheries;
(c) sanitary and phyto-sanitary (SPS) issues;
(d) investment;
(e) market and regulatory reform;

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(f) industry and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs);
(g) customs issues;
(h) taxation.
The above list is not exhaustive and other sectors, including horizontal sectors, may be added by a decision of the
Joint Committee.
The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.
4. Secretariat
An official of the European Union and an official of the Palestinian Authority shall act jointly as permanent
secretaries of the subcommittee.
All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.
5. Meetings
The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened on the basis of a
request from the chair of either party, channelled through its permanent secretary, who will pass the request onto
the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the permanent secretary of the other party
shall reply within 15 working days.
In cases of particular urgency, the subcommittee may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of
both parties. All requests to convene meetings shall be in writing.
Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.
The meetings shall be convened by the permanent secretary in charge, in agreement with the chair. Before each
meeting, the chair shall be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.
If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings in order to provide the specific
information required.
6. Agenda of the meetings
All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the permanent secretaries.
A provisional agenda shall be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the permanent
secretary in charge to his counterpart no later than 10 days before the beginning of the meeting.
The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the permanent secretaries have received a
request for inclusion in the agenda no later than 15 days before the beginning of the meeting. Supporting
documentation shall be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of the meeting. To take account of
urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both parties agree.
The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.
7. Minutes
Minutes shall be taken and agreed upon by the permanent secretaries after each meeting. A copy of the minutes,
including the subcommittee’s proposals, shall be forwarded by the permanent secretaries of the subcommittee to
the secretaries and chair of the Joint Committee.
8. Publicity
Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.
6. Rules of Procedure of the ‘Energy, Transport, Climate Change, Environment, Water’ subcommittee
1. Composition and Chair
The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Union and representatives of the Pales
tinian Authority. It shall be chaired alternately by the two parties.
2. Role
The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Joint Committee, to which it shall report after each
meeting. The subcommittee shall not have any decision-making power but may submit proposals to the Joint
Committee.

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3. Matters of discussion
The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Interim Association Agreement and the related European
Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan in the sectors listed below and shall assess progress on the objectives and
actions which have been identified and agreed upon in the Action Plan.
Where relevant, the subcommittee shall discuss cooperation in public administration matters. In this context, it
shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken:
(a) energy;
(b) transport;
(c) climate change;
(d) environment;
(e) water.
The above list is not exhaustive and other sectors, including horizontal sectors, may be added by a decision of the
Joint Committee.
The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.
4. Secretariat
An official of the European Union and an official of the Palestinian Authority shall act jointly as permanent
secretaries of the subcommittee.
All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.
5. Meetings
The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened on the basis of a
request from the chair of either party, channelled through its permanent secretary, who shall pass the request onto
the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the permanent secretary of the other party
shall reply within 15 working days.
In cases of particular urgency, the subcommittee may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of
both parties. All requests to convene meetings shall be in writing.
Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.
The meetings shall be convened by the permanent secretary in charge, in agreement with the chair. Before each
meeting, the chair shall be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.
If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings in order to provide the specific
information required.
6. Agenda of the meetings
All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the permanent secretaries.
A provisional agenda shall be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the permanent
secretary in charge to his counterpart no later than 10 days before the beginning of the meeting.
The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the permanent secretaries have received a
request for inclusion in the agenda no later than 15 days before the beginning of the meeting. Supporting
documentation shall be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of the meeting. To take account of
urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both parties agree.
The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.
7. Minutes
Minutes shall be taken and agreed upon by the permanent secretaries after each meeting. A copy of the minutes,
including the subcommittee’s proposals, shall be forwarded by the permanent secretaries of the subcommittee to
the secretaries and chair of the Joint Committee.
8. Publicity
Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.
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