Article 1
The Member States and the Commission shall consult each other, in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Decision: (a) on questions concerning shipping matters and dealt with in international organizations, and (b) on the various aspects of development which have taken place in relations between Member States and third countries in shipping matters, and on the functioning of bilateral or multilateral agreements concluded in this sphere. The consultations shall be held at the request of a Member State or of the Commission, within one month of the request or at the earliest opportunity in urgent cases.