The statement of intent seems like window dressing to me. For one, how do I know they are actually doing anything about it, and two, I'm smart enough to figure out who I should spy or destabilize.
There should be an option for a "covert action against empire X" in the diplomacy screen. Under this option you could pool your espionage and destabilization spending against a certain empire where since you are working together the amount would be the total sum of both your empires, plus a bonus since you are coordinating your effort. The reason for the bonus is because both empires could be spending 50 bc on another empire which equals 100 against that empire although they are not working together. Once they work covertly though, that amount should get a bonus otherwise there would be no incentive to work covertly.
Also, somewhere in the stats screen it should tell you who you are working covertly with and who it's directed against. It should also tell you the statistical numbers of your covert actions.
Another interesting element under a covert act would be to agree to attack the empire at a specific system/starbase/sector at a specific month and year. Or you could agree to launch multiple attacks from different points.
Example: The Yor and I are working under a covert pact against the Drengin. After a while they, or me decide to attack the Drengin. Instead of going it alone we contact each other and since we have a covert pact against the Drengin we can agree, or disagree to have the Yor attack in sector X,X in Xmonth of Xyear and me to attack in sector X,X in Xmonth of Xyear.
~SDC~
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