Displaying 1 - 157 of 157

Paragraphs in "Energy Charter Treaty" coded as HOBF

Label Provision
Art.7 Article 7
Art.7.1 1) Each Contracting Party shall take the necessary measures to facilitate the Transit of Energy Materials and Products consistent with the principle of freedom of transit and without distinction as to the origin, destination or ownership of such Energy Materials and Products or discrimination as to pricing on the basis of such distinctions, and without imposing any unreasonable delays, restrictions or charges.
Art.7.2 2) Contracting Parties shall encourage relevant entitles to cooperate in:
Art.7.2.a a) modernizing Energy Transport Facilities necessary to the Transit of Energy Materials and Products;
Art.7.2.b b) the development and operation of Energy Transport Facilities serving the Areas of more than one Contracting Party;
Art.7.2.c c) measures to mitigate the effects of interruptions in the supply of Energy Materials and Products;
Art.7.2.d d) facilitating the interconnection of Energy Transport Facilities.
Art.7.3 3) Each Contracting Party undertakes that its provisions relating to transport of Energy Materials and Products and the use of Energy Transport Facilities shall treat Energy Materials and Products in Transit in no less favourable a manner than its provisions treat such materials and products originating in or destined for its own Area, unless an existing international agreement provides otherwise.
Art.7.4 4) In the event that Transit of Energy Materials and Products cannot be achieved on commercial terms by means of Energy Transport Facilities the Contracting Parties shall not place obstacles in the way of new capacity being established, except as may be otherwise provided in applicable legislation which is consistent with paragraph 1).
Art.7.5 5) A Contracting Party through whose Area Energy Materials and Products may transit shall not be obliged to
Art.7.5.a a) permit the construction or modification of Energy Transport Facilities; or
Art.7.5.b b) permit new or additional Transit through existing Energy Transport Facilities,
Art.7.5.cx which it demonstrates to the other Contracting Parties concerned would endanger the security or efficiency of its energy systems, including the security of supply.
Art.7.5.dx Contracting Parties shall, subject to paragraphs 6) and 7), secure established flows of Energy Materials and Products to, from or between the Areas of other Contracting Parties.
Art.7.6 6) A Contracting Party through whose Area Energy Materials and Products transit shall not, in the event of a dispute over any matter arising from that Transit, interrupt or reduce, permit any entity subject to its control to interrupt or reduce, or require any entity subject to its jurisdiction to interrupt or reduce the existing flow of Energy Materials and Products prior to the conclusion of the dispute resolution procedures set out in paragraph 7), except where this is specifically provided for in a contract or other agreement governing such Transit or permitted in accordance with the conciliator's decision.
Art.7.7 7) The following provisions shall apply to a dispute described in paragraph 6), but only following the exhaustion of all relevant contractual or other dispute resolution remedies previously agreed between the Contracting Parties party to the dispute or between any entity referred to in paragraph 6) and an entity of another Contracting Party party to the dispute:
Art.7.7.a a) A Contracting Party party to the dispute may refer it to the Secretary-General by a notification summarizing the matters in dispute. The Secretary-General shall notify all Contracting Parties of any such referral.
Art.7.7.b b) Within 30 days of receipt of such a notification, the Secretary-General, in consultation with the parties to the dispute and the other Contracting Parties concerned, shall appoint a conciliator. Such a conciliator shall have experience in the matters subject to dispute and shall not be a national or citizen of or permanently resident in a party to the dispute or one of the other Contracting Parties concerned.
Art.7.7.c c) The conciliator shall seek the agreement of the parties to the dispute to a resolution thereof or upon a procedure to achieve such resolution. If within 90 days of his appointment he has failed to secure such agreement, he shall recommend a resolution to the dispute or a procedure to achieve such resolution and shall decide the interim tariffs and other terms and conditions to be observed for Transit from a date which he shall specify until the dispute is resolved.
Art.7.7.d d) The Contracting Parties undertake to observe and ensure that the entities under their control or jurisdiction observe any interim decision under subparagraph c) on tariffs, terms and conditions for 12 months following the conciliator's decision or until resolution of the dispute, whichever is earlier.
Art.7.7.e e) Notwithstanding subparagraph b) the Secretary-General may elect not to appoint a conciliator if in his judgement the dispute concerns Transit that is or has been the subject of the dispute resolution procedures set out in subparagraphs a) to d) and those proceedings have not resulted in a resolution of the dispute.
Art.7.7.f f) The Charter Conference shall adopt standard provisions concerning the conduct of conciliation and the compensation of conciliators.
Art.7.8 8) Nothing in this Article shall derogate from a Contracting Party's rights and obligations under international law including customary international law, existing bilateral or multilateral agreements, including rules concerning submarine cables and pipelines.
Art.7.9 9) This Article shall not be so interpreted as to oblige any Contracting Party which does not have a certain type of Energy Transport Facilities used for Transit to take any measure under this Article with respect to that type of Energy Transport Facilities. Such a Contracting Party is, however, obliged to comply with paragraph 4).
Art.7.10 10) For the purposes of this Article:
Art.7.10.a a) "Transit" means
Art.7.10.a.i i) the carriage through the Area of a Contracting Party, or to or from port facilities in its Area for loading or unloading, of Energy Materials and Products originating in the Area of another state and destined for the Area of a third state, so long as either the other state or the third state is a Contracting Party; or
Art.7.10.a.ii ii) the carriage through the Area of a Contracting Party of Energy Materials and Products originating in the Area of another Contracting Party and destined for the Area of that other Contracting Party, unless the two Contracting Parties concerned decide otherwise and record their decision by a joint entry in Annex N. The two Contracting Parties may delete their listing in Annex N by delivering a joint written notification of their intentions to the Secretariat, which shall transmit that notification to all other Contracting Parties. The deletion shall take effect four weeks after such former notification.
Art.7.10.b b) "Energy Transport Facilities" consist of high-pressure gas transmission pipelines, high-voltage electricity transmission grids and lines, crude oil transmission pipelines, coal slurry pipelines, oil product pipelines, and other fixed facilities specifically for handling Energy Materials and Products.
Art.10 Article 10
Art.10.1 1) Each Contracting Party shall, in accordance with the provisions of this Treaty, encourage and create stable, equitable, favourable and transparent conditions for Investors of other Contracting Parties to Make Investments in its Area. Such conditions shall include a commitment to accord at all times to Investments of Investors of other Contracting Parties fair and equitable treatment. Such Investments shall also enjoy the most constant protection and security and no Contracting Party shall in any way impair by unreasonable or discriminatory measures their management, maintenance, use, enjoyment or disposal. In no case shall such Investments be accorded treatment less favourable than that required by international law, including treaty obligations. Each Contracting Party shall observe any obligations it has entered into with an Investor or an Investment of an Investor of any other Contracting Party.
Art.10.2 2) Each Contracting Party shall endeavour to accord to Investors of other Contracting Parties, as regards the Making of Investments in its Area, the Treatment described in paragraph 3).
Art.10.3 3) For the purposes of this Article, "Treatment" means treatment accorded by a Contracting Party which is no less favourable than that which it accords to its own Investors or to Investors of any other Contracting Party or any third state, whichever is the most favourable.
Art.10.4 4) A supplementary treaty shall, subject to conditions to be laid down therein, oblige each party thereto to accord to Investors of other parties, as regards the Making of Investments in its Area, the Treatment described in paragraph 3). That treaty shall be open for signature by the states and Regional Economic Integration Organizations which have signed or acceded to this Treaty. Negotiations towards the supplementary treaty shall commence not later than 1 January 1995, with a view to concluding it by 1 January 1998.
Art.10.5 5) Each Contracting Party shall, as regards the Making of Investments in its Area, endeavour to:
Art.10.5.a a) limit to the minimum the exceptions to the Treatment described in paragraph 3);
Art.10.5.b b) progressively remove existing restrictions affecting Investors of other Contracting Parties.
Art.10.6.a 6) a) A Contracting Party may, as regards the Making of Investments in its Area, at any time declare voluntarily to the Charter Conference, through the Secretariat, its intention not to introduce new exceptions to the Treatment described in paragraph 3).
Art.10.6.b b) A Contracting Party may, furthermore, at any time make a voluntary commitment to accord to Investors of other Contracting Parties, as regards the Making of Investments in some or all Economic Activities in the Energy Sector in its Area, the Treatment described in paragraph 3). Such commitments shall be notified to the Secretariat and listed in Annex VC and shall be binding under this Treaty.
Art.10.7 7) Each Contracting Party shall accord to Investments in its Area of Investors of other Contracting Parties, and their related activities including management, maintenance, use, enjoyment or disposal, treatment no less favourable than that which it accords to Investments of its own Investors or of the Investors of any other Contracting Party or any third state and their related activities including management, maintenance, use, enjoyment or disposal, whichever is the most favourable.
Art.10.8 8) The modalities of application of paragraph 7) in relation to programmes under which a Contracting Party provides grants or other financial assistance, or enters into contracts, for energy technology research and development, shall be reserved for the supplementary treaty described in paragraph 4). Each Contracting Party shall through the Secretariat keep the Charter Conference informed of the modalities it applies to the programmes described in this paragraph.
Art.10.9 9) Each state or Regional Economic Integration Organization which signs or accedes to this Treaty shall, on the date it signs the Treaty or deposits its instrument of accession, submit to the Secretariat a report summarizing all laws, regulations or other measures relevant to:
Art.10.9.a a) exceptions to paragraph 2); or
Art.10.9.b b) the programmes referred to in paragraph 8).
Art.10.9.cx A Contracting Party shall keep its report up to date by promptly submitting amendments to the Secretariat. The Charter Conference shall review these reports periodically.
Art.10.9.dx In respect of subparagraph a) the report may designate parts of the energy sector in which a Contracting Party accords to Investors of other Contracting Parties the Treatment described in paragraph 3).
Art.10.9.ex In respect of subparagraph b) the review by the Charter Conference may consider the effects of such programmes on competition and Investments.
Art.10.10 10) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the treatment described in paragraphs 3) and 7) shall not apply to the protection of Intellectual Property; instead, the treatment shall be as specified in the corresponding provisions of the applicable international agreements for the protection of Intellectual Property rights to which the respective Contracting Parties are parties.
Art.10.11 11) For the purposes of Article 26, the application by a Contracting Party of a trade-related investment measure as described in Article 51) and 2) to an Investment of an Investor of another Contracting Party existing at the time of such application shall, subject to Article 53) and 4), be considered a breach of an obligation of the former Contracting Party under this Part.
Art.10.12 12) Each Contracting Party shall ensure that its domestic law provides effective means for the assertion of claims and the enforcement of rights with respect to Investments, investment agreements, and investment authorizations.
Art.19 Article 19
Art.19.1 1) In pursuit of sustainable development and taking into account its obligations under those international agreements concerning the environment to which it is party, each Contracting Party shall strive to minimize in an economically efficient manner harmful Environmental Impacts occurring either within or outside its Area from all operations within the Energy Cycle in its Area, taking proper account of safety. In doing so each Contracting Party shall act in a Cost-Effective manner. In its policies and actions each Contracting Party shall strive to take precautionary measures to prevent or minimize environmental degradation. The Contracting Parties agree that the polluter in the Areas of Contracting Parties, should, in principle, bear the cost of pollution, including transboundary pollution, with due regard to the public interest and without distorting Investment in the Energy Cycle or international trade. Contracting Parties shall accordingly:
Art.19.1.a a) take account of environmental considerations throughout the formulation and implementation of their energy policies;
Art.19.1.b b) promote market-oriented price formation and a fuller reflection of environmental costs and benefits throughout the Energy Cycle;
Art.19.1.c c) having regard to Article 344), encourage cooperation in the attainment of the environmental objectives of the Charter and cooperation in the field of international environmental standards for the Energy Cycle, taking into account differences in adverse effects and abatement costs between Contracting Parties;
Art.19.1.d d) have particular regard to Improving Energy Efficiency, to developing and using renewable energy sources, to promoting the use of cleaner fuels and to employing technologies and technological means that reduce pollution;
Art.19.1.e e) promote the collection and sharing among Contracting Parties of information on environmentally sound and economically efficient energy policies and Cost-Effective practices and technologies;
Art.19.1.f f) promote public awareness of the Environmental Impacts of energy systems, of the scope for the prevention or abatement of their adverse Environmental Impacts, and of the costs associated with various prevention or abatement measures;
Art.19.1.g g) promote and cooperate in the research, development and application of energy efficient and environmentally sound technologies, practices and processes which will minimize harmful Environmental Impacts of all aspects of the Energy Cycle in an economically efficient manner.
Art.19.1.h h) encourage favourable conditions for the transfer and dissemination of such technologies consistent with the adequate and effective protection of Intellectual Property rights;
Art.19.1.i i) promote the transparent assessment at an early stage and prior to decision, and subsequent monitoring, of Environmental Impacts of environmentally significant energy investment projects;
Art.19.1.j j) promote international awareness and information exchange on Contracting Parties' relevant environmental programmes and standards and on the implementation of those programmes and standards;
Art.19.1.k k) participate, upon request, and within their available resources, in the development and implementation of appropriate environmental programmes in the Contracting Parties.
Art.19.2 2) At the request of one or more Contracting Parties, disputes concerning the application or interpretation of provisions of this Article shall, to the extent that arrangements for the consideration of such disputes do not exist in other appropriate international fora, be reviewed by the Charter Conference aiming at a solution.
Art.19.3 3) For the purposes of this Article:
Art.19.3.a a) "Energy Cycle" means the entire energy chain including activities related to prospecting for, exploration, production, conversion, storage, transport, distribution and consumption of the various forms of energy, and the treatment and disposal of wastes, as well as the decommissioning, cessation or closure of these activities, minimizing harmful Environmental Impacts;
Art.19.3.b b) "Environmental Impact" means any effect caused by a given activity on the environment, including human health and safety, flora, fauna, soil, air, water, climate, landscape and historical monuments or other physical structures or the interactions among these factors; it also includes effects on cultural heritage or socio-ecomomic conditions resulting from alterations to those factors;
Art.19.3.c c) "Improving Energy Efficiency" means acting to maintain the same unit of output of a good or service) without reducing the quality or performance of the output, while reducing the amount of energy required to produce that output;
Art.19.3.d d) "Cost-Effective" means to achieve a defined objective at the lowest cost or to achieve the greatest benefit at a given cost.
Art.31 Article 31
Art.31.1x The provisional Charter Conference shall at its first meeting commence examination of the inclusion of energy-related equipment in the trade provisions of this Treaty.
Art.32 Article 32
Art.32.1 1) In recognition of the need for time to adapt to the requirements of a market economy, a Contracting Party listed in Annex T may temporarily suspend full compliance with its obligations under one or more of the following provisions of this Treaty, subject to the conditions in paragraphs 3) to 6):
Art.32.1.ax Article 62) and 5)
Art.32.1.bx Article 74)
Art.32.1.cx Article 91)
Art.32.1.dx Article 107) - specific measures
Art.32.1.ex Article 141)d) - related only to transfer of unspent earnings
Art.32.1.fx Article 203)
Art.32.1.gx Article 221) and 3)
Art.32.2 2) Other Contracting Parties shall assist any Contracting Party which has suspended full compliance under paragraph 1) to achieve the conditions under which such suspension can be terminated. This assistance may be given in whatever form the other Contracting Parties consider most effective to respond to the needs notified under subparagraph 4)c) including, where appropriate, through bilateral or multilateral arrangements.
Art.32.3 3) The applicable provisions, the stages towards full implementation of each, the measures to be taken and the date or, exceptionally, contingent event, by which each stage shall be completed and measure taken are listed in Annex T for each Contracting Party claiming transitional arrangements. Each such Contracting Party shall take the measure listed by the date indicated for the relevant provision and stage as set out in Annex T. Contracting Parties which have temporarily suspended full compliance under paragraph (1) undertake to comply fully with the relevant obligations by 1 July 2001. Should a Contracting Party find it necessary, due to exceptional circumstances, to request that the period of such temporary suspension be extended or that any further temporary suspension not previously listed in Annex T be introduced, the decision on a request to amend Annex T shall be made by the Charter Conference.
Art.32.4 4) A Contracting Party which has invoked transitional arrangements shall notify the Secretariat no less often than once every 12 months:
Art.32.4.a a) of the implementation of any measures listed in its Annex T and of its general progress to full compliance;
Art.32.4.b b) of the progress it expects to make during the next 12 months towards full compliance with its obligations, of any problem if foresees and of its proposals for dealing with that problem;
Art.32.4.c c) of the need for technical assistance to facilitate completion of the stages set out in Annex T as necessary for the full implementation of this Treaty, or to deal with any problem notified pursuant to subparagraph b) as well as to promote other necessary market-oriented reforms and modernization of its energy sector;
Art.32.4.d d) of any possible need to make a request of the kind referred to in paragraph 3).
Art.32.5 5) The Secretariat shall:
Art.32.5.a a) circulate to all Contracting Parties the notifications referred to in paragraph 4);
Art.32.5.b b) circulate and actively promote, relying where appropriate on arrangements existing within other international organizations, the matching of needs for and offers of technical assistance referred to in paragraph 2) and subparagraph 4)c);
Art.32.5.c c) circulate to all Contracting Parties at the end of each six month period a summary of any notifications made under subparagraph 4)a) or d).
Art.32.6 6) The Charter Conference shall annually review the progress by Contracting Parties towards implementation of the provisions of this Article and the matching of needs and offers of technical assistance referred to in paragraph 2) and subparagraph 4)c). In the course of that review it may decide to take appropriate action.
Sect.7 PART VII
Art.33 Article 33
Art.33.1 1) The Charter Conference may authorize the negotiation of a number of Energy Charter Protocols or Declarations in order to pursue the objectives and principles of the Charter.
Art.33.2 2) Any signatory to the Charter may participate in such negotiation.
Art.33.3 3) A state or Regional Economic Integration Organization shall not become a party to a Protocol or Declaration unless it is, or becomes at the same time, a signatory to the Charter and a Contracting Party to this Treaty.
Art.33.4 4) Subject to paragraph 3) and subparagraph 6)a), final provisions applying to a Protocol shall be defined in that Protocol.
Art.33.5 5) A Protocol shall apply only to the Contracting Parties which consent to be bound by it, and shall not derogate from the rights and obligations of those Contracting Parties not party to the Protocol.
Art.33.6.a 6) a) A Protocol may assign duties to the Charter Conference and functions to the Secretariat, provided that no such assignment may be made by an amendment to a Protocol unless that amendment is approved by the Charter Conference, whose approval shall not be subject to any provisions of the Protocol which are authorized by subparagraph b).
Art.33.6.b b) A Protocol which provides for decisions thereunder to be taken by the Charter Conference may, subject to subparagraph a), provide with respect to such decisions:
Art.33.6.b.i i) for voting rules other than those contained in Article 36;
Art.33.6.b.ii ii) that only parties to the Protocol shall be considered to be Contracting Parties for the purposes of Article 36 or eligible to vote under the rules provided for in the Protocol.
Art.34 Article 34
Art.34.1 1) The Contracting Parties shall meet periodically in the Energy Charter Conference referred to herein as the "Charter Conference") at which each Contracting Party shall be entitled to have one representative. Ordinary meetings shall be held at intervals determined by the Charter Conference.
Art.34.2 2) Extraordinary meetings of the Charter Conference may be held at such times as may be determined by the Charter Conference, or at the written request of any Contracting Party, provided that, within six weeks of the request being communicated to the Contracting Parties by the Secretariat, it is supported by at least one-third of the Contracting Parties.
Art.34.3 3) The functions of the Charter Conference shall be to:
Art.34.3.a a) carry out the duties assigned to it by this Treaty and any Protocols;
Art.34.3.b b) keep under review and facilitate the implementation of the principles of the Charter and of the provisions of this Treaty and the Protocols;
Art.34.3.c c) facilitate in accordance with this Treaty and the Protocols the coordination of appropriate general measures to carry out the principles of the Charter;
Art.34.3.d d) consider and adopt programmes of work to be carried out by the Secretariat;
Art.34.3.e e) consider and approve the annual accounts and budget of the Secretariat;
Art.34.3.f f) consider and approve or adopt the terms of any headquarters or other agreement, including privileges and immunities considered necessary for the Charter Conference and the Secretariat;
Art.34.3.g g) encourage cooperative efforts aimed at facilitating and promoting market-oriented reforms and modernization of energy sectors in those countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics undergoing economic transition;
Art.34.3.h h) authorize and approve the terms of reference for the negotiation of Protocols, and consider and adopt the texts thereof and of amendments thereto;
Art.34.3.i i) authorize the negotiation of Declarations, and approve their issuance;
Art.34.3.j j) decide on accessions to this Treaty;
Art.34.3.k k) authorize the negotiation of and consider and approve or adopt association agreements;
Art.34.3.l l) consider and adopt texts of amendments to this Treaty;
Art.34.3.m m) consider and approve modifications of and technical changes to the Annexes to this Treaty;
Art.34.3.n n) appoint the Secretary-General and take all decisions necessary for the establishment and functioning of the Secretariat including the structure, staff levels and standard terms of employment of officials and employees.
Art.34.4 4) In the performance of its duties, the Charter Conference, through the Secretariat, shall cooperate with and make as full a use as possible, consistently with economy and efficiency, of the services and programmes of other institutions and organizations with established competence in matters related to the objectives of this Treaty.
Art.34.5 5) The Charter Conference may establish such subsidiary bodies as it considers appropriate for the performance of its duties.
Art.34.6 6) The Charter Conference shall consider and adopt rules of procedure and financial rules.
Art.34.7 7) In 1999 and thereafter at intervals of not more than five years) to be determined by the Charter Conference, the Charter Conference shall thoroughly review the functions provided for in this Treaty in the light of the extent to which the provisions of the Treaty and Protocols have been implemented. At the conclusion of each review the Charter Conference may amend or abolish the functions specified in paragraph 3) and may discharge the Secretariat.
Art.35 Article 35
Art.35.1 1) In carrying out its duties, the Charter Conference shall have a Secretariat which shall be composed of a Secretary-General and such staff as are the minimum consistent with efficient performance.
Art.35.2 2) The Secretary-General shall be appointed by the Charter Conference. The first such appointment shall be for a maximum period of five years.
Art.35.3 3) In the performance of its duties the Secretariat shall be responsible to and report to the Charter Conference.
Art.35.4 4) The Secretariat shall provide the Charter Conference with all necessary assistance for the performance of its duties and shall carry out the functions assigned to it in this Treaty or in any Protocol and any other functions assigned to it by the Charter Conference.
Art.35.5 5) The Secretariat may enter into such administrative and contractual arrangements as may be required for the effective discharge of its functions.
Art.36 Article 36
Art.36.1 1) Unanimity of the Contracting Parties Present and Voting at the meeting of the Charter Conference where such matters fall to be decided shall be required for decisions by the Charter Conference to:
Art.36.1.a a) adopt amendments to this Treaty other than amendments to Articles 34 and 35 and Annex T;
Art.36.1.b b) approve accessions to this Treaty under Article 41 by states or Regional Economic Integration Organizations which were not signatories to the Charter as of 16 June 1995;
Art.36.1.c c) authorize the negotiation of and approve or adopt the text of association agreements;
Art.36.1.d d) approve modifications to Annexes EM, NI, G and B;
Art.36.1.e e) approve technical changes to the Annexes to this Treaty; and
Art.36.1.f f) approve the Secretary-General's nominations of panelists under Annex D, paragraph 7).
Art.36.1.gx The Contracting Parties shall make every effort to reach agreement by consensus on any other matter requiring their decision under this Treaty. If agreement cannot be reached by consensus, paragraphs 2) to 5) shall apply.
Art.36.2 2) Decisions on budgetary matters referred to in Article 343)e) shall be taken by a qualified majority of Contracting Parties whose assessed contributions as specified in Annex B represent, in combination, at least three-fourths of the total assessed contributions specified therein.
Art.36.3 3) Decisions on matters referred to in Article 347) shall be taken by a three-fourths majority of the Contracting Parties.
Art.36.4 4) Except in cases specified in subparagraphs 1)a) to f), paragraphs 2) and 3), and subject to paragraph 6), decisions provided for in this Treaty shall be taken by a three-fourth majority of the Contracting Parties Present and Voting at the meeting of the Charter Conference at which such matters fall to be decided.
Art.36.5 5) For purposes of this Article, "Contracting Parties Present and Voting" means Contracting Parties present and casting affirmative or negative votes, provided that the Charter Conference may decide upon rules of procedure to enable such decisions to be taken by Contracting Parties by correspondence.
Art.36.6 6) Except as provided in paragraph 2), no decision referred to in this Article shall be valid unless it has the support of a simple majority of the Contracting Parties.
Art.36.7 7) A Regional Economic Integration Organization shall, when voting, have a number of votes equal to the number of its member states which are Contracting Parties to this Treaty; provided that such an Organization shall not exercise its right to vote if its member states exercise theirs, and vice versa.
Art.36.8 8) In the event of persistent arrears in a Contracting Party's discharge of financial obligations under this Treaty, the Charter Conference may suspend that Contracting Party's voting rights in whole or in part.
Art.37 Article 37
Art.37.1 1) Each Contracting Party shall bear its own costs of representation at meetings of the Charter Conference and any subsidiary bodies.
Art.37.2 2) The cost of meetings of the Charter Conference and any subsidiary bodies shall be regarded as a cost of the Secretariat.
Art.37.3 3) The costs of the Secretariat shall be met by the Contracting Parties assessed according to their capacity to pay, determined as specified in Annex B, the provisions of which may be modified in accordance with Article 361)d).
Art.37.4 4) A Protocol shall contain provisions to assure that any costs of the Secretariat arising from that Protocol are borne by the parties thereto.
Art.37.5 5) The Charter Conference may in addition accept voluntary contributions from one or more Contracting Parties or from other sources. Costs met from such contributions shall not be considered costs of the Secretariat for the purposes of paragraph 3).
Sect.8 PART VIII
Art.43 Article 43
Art.43.1 1) The Charter Conference may authorize the negotiation of association agreements with states or Regional Economic Integration Organizations, or with international organizations, in order to pursue the objectives and principles of the Charter and the provisions of this Treaty or one or more Protocols.
Art.43.2 2) The relationship established with and the rights enjoyed and obligations incurred by an associating state, Regional Economic Integration Organization, or international organization shall be appropriate to the particular circumstances of the association, and in each case shall be set out in the association agreement.