ARTICLE V  

TRANSITIONAL PERIOD AND PERMANENT STATUS NEGOTIATIONS  

1. The five - year transitional period will begin upon the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and Jericho area.
   
   
2. Permanent status negotiations will commence as soon as possible, but not later than the beginning of the third year of the interim period, between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian people representatives.
   
   
3. It is understood that these negotiations shall cover remaining issues, including: Jerusalem, refugees, settlements, security arrangements, borders, relations and cooperation with other neighbors, and other issues of common interest.
   
   
4. The two parties agree that the outcome of the permanent status negotiations should not be prejudiced or preempted by agreements reached for the interim period.
   
   

Both sides agreed to expedite their common work in the People to People program, as initiated by the Government of Norway.

Both sides decided to expedite the work of their various committees in order to ensure in coordination the fi!ll implementation of the Interim Agreement.

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