This Agreement establishes a framework for cooperation among the Parties in conducting aeronautical SAR operations and sets out their various respective responsibilities in order to fully comply with their obligations as set out in ICAO SARPs.

The Parties agree that aeronautical SAR operations in or over the territorial sea, internal waters and land of the State each Party are to be carried out in accordance with the national legislation or legislation in force in the territories of the States of the respective Parties, taking into account the relevant international SAR provisions.

The Parties shall ensure close coordination with their respective national aeronautical SAR authorities to help promote common and effective SAR services under this Agreement in assisting each other, to the extent possible, in the conduct of SAR operations by authorising their Rescue Coordination Centres (hereinafter: RCCs) to request assistance from the RCC of the other Party or to promptly respond to distress calls and requests for assistance from the RCC of the other Party.

Terms and definitions shall for the purpose of this Agreement have the meaning laid down in Chapter 1 of the Annex 12.