To that end, the Parties may cooperate in the following areas:
(a) exchange of information by the Parties on developments in their mining and raw material sectors;
(b) exchange of information on matters related to trade in raw materials, with the aim of promoting bilateral exchanges;
(c) exchange of information and best practices in relation to sustainable development aspects of the mining industries; and
(d) exchange of information and best practices in relation to training, skills and safety in the mining industries.
Chapter 12. AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Article 63.
The Parties shall cooperate to promote agricultural and rural development.
Article 64.
Cooperation between the Parties in the field of agriculture and rural development shall cover, inter alia, the following areas:
(a) facilitating the mutual understanding of agricultural and rural development policies;
(b) enhancing the administrative capacities at central and local level in the planning, evaluation and implementation of policies;
(c) promoting the modernisation and the sustainability of agricultural production;
(d) sharing knowledge and best practices of rural development policies to promote economic well-being for rural communities;
(e) improving the competitiveness of the agricultural sector and the efficiency and transparency of the markets;
(f) promoting quality policies and their control mechanisms, in particular geographical indications and organic farming;
(g) disseminating knowledge and promoting extension services to agricultural producers; and
(bh) enhancing the harmonisation of issues dealt within the framework of international organisation of which the Parties are members. ARTICLE 65
A regular dialogue may take place between the Parties on the issues covered by this Chapter.
Chapter 13. FISHERIES AND MARITIME POLICY
Section 1. FISHERIES POLICY
Article 66.
The Parties shall develop and strengthen their cooperation on issues covering fisheries and maritime governance, thereby developing closer bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the fisheries sector. The Parties shall also encourage an integrated approach to fisheries issues and promote sustainable fisheries development.
Article 67.
The Parties shall take joint actions, exchange information and provide support to each other in order to promote:
(a) good governance and best practices in fisheries management with a view to ensuring conservation and management of fish stocks in a sustainable manner and based on the ecosystem approach;
(b) responsible fishing and fisheries management consistent with the principles of sustainable development, so as to conserve fish stocks and ecosystems in a healthy state; and
(c) cooperation through appropriate regional organisations responsible for management and conservation of living aquatic resources.
Article 68.
The Parties will support initiatives, such as mutual exchange of experience and providing support, in order to ensure the implementation of a sustainable fisheries policy, including:
(a) management of fisheries and aquaculture resources;
(b) inspection and control of fishing activities, as well as development of corresponding administrative and judicial structures capable of applying appropriate measures;
(c) collection of catch, landing, biological and economic data;
(d) improving the efficiency of the markets, in particular by promoting producer organisations, providing information to consumers, and through marketing standards and traceability; and
(e) development ofa structural policy for the fisheries sector, with particular attention to the sustainable development of fisheries areas which are defined as an area with lake shore or including ponds or a river estuary and with a significant level of employment in the fisheries sector.
Section 2. MARITIME POLICY
Article 69.
Taking into account their cooperation in the spheres of fisheries, transport, environment and other sea-related policies, the Parties shall also develop cooperation and mutual support, when appropriate, on maritime issues.
Article 70.
A regular dialogue may take place between the Parties on the issues covered by this Chapter.
Chapter 14. ENERGY COOPERATION
Article 71.
The Parties agree to continue their current cooperation on energy matters on the basis of the principles of partnership, mutual interest, transparency and predictability. The cooperation should aim at energy efficiency, taking into account the need to ensure competitiveness and access to secure, environmentally sustainable and affordable energy, including, in the case of the Republic of Moldova, through the provisions of the Energy Community Treaty.
Article 72.
The cooperation shall cover, among others, the following areas and objectives:
(a) energy strategies and policies;
(b) the development of competitive, transparent and non-discriminatory energy markets, through regulatory reforms and through the participation in regional energy cooperation;
(c) development ofan attractive and stable investment climate by addressing institutional, legal, fiscal and other conditions;
(d) energy infrastructure, in order to diversify energy sources, suppliers and transportation routes in an efficient economic and environmentally sound manner;
(e) enhancement and strengthening of long-term stability and security of energy supply and trade, transit and transport on a mutually beneficial and non-discriminatory basis in accordance with international rules;
(f) promotion of energy efficiency and energy saving, inter alia, concerning energy performance of buildings, and the development and support of renewable energies in an economic and environmentally sound manner;
(g) reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases, including through energy efficiency and renewable energy projects;
(h) scientific and technical cooperation and exchange of information for the development and improvement of technologies in energy production, transportation, supply and end use, with particular attention to energy efficient and environmentally friendly technologies; and
(i) cooperation in the Civil Nuclear sector, focusing on ensuring a high level of nuclear safety, the clean and peaceful use of nuclear energy, covering all civil nuclear energy activities and stages of the fuel cycle, including production of and trade in nuclear materials, safety and security aspects of nuclear energy, and emergency preparedness, as well as health-related and environmental issues and non-proliferation. In this context, cooperation will also include the further development of policies and legal and regulatory frameworks based on International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards.
Article 73.
A regular dialogue may take place between the Parties on the issues covered by this Chapter.
Chapter 15. TRANSPORT
Article 74.
The Parties shall:
(a) expand and strengthen their transport cooperation in order to contribute to the development of sustainable transport systems;
(b) promote efficient, safe and secure transport operations as well as intermodality and interoperability of transport systems; and
(c) endeavour to enhance the main transport links between their territories based on provisions of current or future bilateral agreements.
Article 75.
That cooperation shall cover, among others, the following areas:
(a) development of a sustainable national transport policy covering all modes of transport, particularly with a view to ensuring efficient, safe and secure transport systems and promoting the integration of considerations in the sphere of transport into other policy areas;
(b) development of sector strategies in light of the national transport policy (including legal requirements for the upgrading of technical equipment and transport fleets to meet highest international standards) for road, rail, inland waterway, aviation, and intermodality, including timetables and milestones for implementation, administrative responsibilities as well as financing plans;
(c) improvement of the infrastructure policy in order to better identify and evaluate infrastructure projects in the various modes of transport;
(d) development of funding strategies focusing on maintenance, capacity constraints and missing link infrastructure as well as activating and promoting the participation of the private sector in transport projects;
(e) accession to relevant international transport organisations and agreements, including procedures for ensuring strict implementation and effective enforcement of international transport agreements and conventions;
(f) scientific and technical cooperation and exchange of information for the development and improvement of technologies in transport, such as intelligent transport systems; and
(g) promotion of the use of intelligent transport systems and information technology in managing and operating all modes of transport as well as supporting intermodality and cooperation in the use of space systems and commercial applications facilitating transport.
Article 76.
1. Cooperation shall also aim at improving the movement of passengers and goods, increasing fluidity of transport flows, by removing administrative, technical and other obstacles, improving transport networks and upgrading the infrastructure. That cooperation shall include actions to facilitate border crossings.
2. Cooperation shall include information exchange and joint activities:
(a) at the regional level, in particular taking into consideration and integrating progress achieved under various regional transport cooperation arrangements;
(b) at the international level, including with regard to international transport organisations and international agreements and conventions ratified by the Parties.
Article 77.
A regular dialogue may take place between the Parties on the issues covered by this Chapter.
Chapter 16. ENVIRONMENT
Article 78.
The Parties shall develop and strengthen their cooperation on environmental issues, thereby contributing to the long-term objective of sustainable development and greening the economy. It is expected that enhanced environment protection will bring benefits to citizens and businesses in the UK and in the Republic of Moldova, including through improved public health, preserved natural resources, increased economic and environmental efficiency, integration of the environment into other policy areas, as well as the use of modern, cleaner technologies contributing to more sustainable production patterns. Cooperation shall be conducted considering the interests of the Parties on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, as well as taking into account the interdependence existing between the Parties in the field of environment protection, and multilateral agreements in that field.
Article 79.
Cooperation shall aim at preserving, protecting, improving, and rehabilitating the quality of the environment, protecting human health, sustainable utilisation of natural resources and promoting measures at the international level to deal with regional or global environmental problems, including in the areas of:
(a) environmental governance and horizontal issues, including Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment, education and training, environmental liability, combating environmental crime, trans- boundary cooperation, access to environmental information, decision-making processes and effective administrative and judicial review procedures;
(b) air quality;
(c) water quality and resource management, including flood risk management, water scarcity and droughts;
(d) waste and resource management and shipment of waste;
(e) nature protection, including conservation and protection of biological and landscape diversity;
(f) industrial pollution and industrial hazards;
(g) chemicals;
(h) noise pollution;
(i) soil protection;
(j) urban and rural environment;
(k) environmental fees and taxes;
(l) monitoring and environmental information systems;
(m) inspection and enforcement; and
(n) eco-innovation including best available technologies.
Article 80.
The Parties shall, inter alia:
(a) exchange information and expertise;
(b) cooperate in joint research activities and exchange of information on cleaner technologies;
(c) cooperate in handling of industrial hazards and accidents;
(d) implement joint activities at regional and international level, including with regard to multilateral environment agreements ratified by the Parties, and joint activities in the framework of relevant agencies, as appropriate.
The Parties shall pay special attention to transboundary issues and regional cooperation.
Article 81.
The cooperation shall cover, as appropriate, the following objectives:
(a) effective implementation of environment policies, including procedures for the promotion of the integration of the environment into other policy areas; and promotion of green economy measures and eco-innovation; and
(b) issues related to air quality; water quality and resource management; waste and resource management; biodiversity and nature protection; industrial pollution and industrial hazards and chemicals, noise pollution, soil protection, urban and rural environment, eco-innovation in line with timetables and milestones to which both Parties are committed through international agreements.
Article 82.
A regular dialogue may take place between the Parties on the issues covered by this Chapter.
Chapter 17. CLIMATE ACTION
Article 83.
The Parties may develop and strengthen their cooperation to combat climate change. Cooperation shall be conducted considering the interests of the Parties on the basis of equality and mutual benefit and taking into account the interdependence existing between bilateral and multilateral commitments in this field.
Article 84.
Cooperation may promote measures at the domestic, regional and international level, including in the areas of:
(a) mitigation of climate change;
(b) adaptation to climate change;
(c) carbon trading;
(d) research, development, demonstration, deployment and diffusion of safe and sustainable low-carbon and adaptation technologies;
(e) mainstreaming of climate considerations into sector policies; and
(f) awareness raising, education and training.
Article 85.
The Parties may, inter alia:
(a) exchange information and expertise;
(b) implement joint research activities and exchanges of information on cleaner technologies;
(c) implement joint activities at the regional and international level, including with regard to multilateral environment agreements ratified by the Parties, and joint activities in the framework of relevant agencies, as appropriate.
The Parties may pay special attention to transboundary issues.
Article 86.
The cooperation may cover, among others, the development and implementation of:
(a) an overall climate strategy and action plan for the long-term mitigation of and adaptation to climate change;
(b) vulnerability and adaptation assessments;
(c) a National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change;
(d) a low-carbon development strategy;
(e) long-term measures to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases;
(f) measures to prepare for carbon trading;
(g) measures to promote technology transfer on the basis of a technology needs assessment;
(h) measures to mainstream climate considerations into sector policies; and
(i) measures related to ozone-depleting substances.
Article 87.
A regular dialogue may take place between the Parties on the issues covered by this Chapter.
Chapter 18. INFORMATION SOCIETY
Article 88.
The Parties shall strengthen cooperation on the development of the Information Society to benefit citizens and businesses through the widespread availability of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and through better quality of services at affordable prices. That cooperation should aim at facilitating access to electronic communications markets, encouraging competition and investment in the sector, and promoting the development of public services online.
Article 89.
Cooperation may cover the following subjects:
(a) exchange of information and best practices on the implementation of national Information Society strategies, including, inter alia, initiatives aiming at promoting broadband access, improving network security and informational systems, and developing public services online;
(b) exchange of information, best practices and experience to promote the development of a comprehensive regulatory framework for electronic communications, and in particular to strengthen the administrative capacity of the national administration in Information and Communication Technologies, as well as of the independent regulator, to foster a better use of spectrum resources and to promote interoperability of networks in the Republic of Moldova and with the UK;
(c) encouraging and promoting the implementation of ICT tools for a better governance, e-learning and research, public healthcare, digitisation of cultural heritage, development of e-content and electronic commerce; and
(d) enhancing the level of security of personal data and the protection of privacy in electronic communications.