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aide-memoire

/ˌeɪdˌmɛmˈwɑr/
IPA guide

In political science and international relations, an aide-memoire is an unofficial written summary of some agreement, proposal, or action.

One country may send an aide-memoire to another during peacemaking negotiations. Because it's an aide-memoire and not an official document, neither country is expected to be held to any agreements listed in it — it's more of an informal proposal. Groups like the World Trade Organization and the United Nations often use aide-memoirs in their interactions. Aide-memoire comes from the French words aider, "to help," and mémoire, "memory."

Definitions of aide-memoire
  1. noun
    a memorandum summarizing the items of an agreement (used especially in diplomatic communications)
    synonyms: position paper
    see moresee less
    type of:
    memo, memoranda, memorandum
    a written proposal or reminder
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