Article 20
1. If no mutually satisfactory solution has been reached between the Parties concerned in consultations under Article 19 above, the Committee shall meet at the request of any party to the dispute, within 30 days of receipt of such a request, to investigate the matter, with a view to facilitating a mutually satisfactory solution. 2. In investigating the matter and in selecting its procedures, the Committee shall take into account whether the issues in dispute relate to commercial policy considerations or to questions requiring detailed technical consideration. The Committee may request on its own initiative that the Technical Committee carry out an examination, as provided in paragraph 4 below, of any question requiring technical consideration. Upon the request of any party to the dispute that considers the issues to relate to questions of a technical nature, the Committee shall request the Technical Committee to carry out such an examination. 3. During any phase of a dispute settlement procedure, competent bodies and experts in matters under consideration may be consulted ; appropriate information and assistance may be requested from such bodies and experts. The Committee shall take into consideration the results of any work of the Technical Committee that pertain to the matter in dispute. Technical issues 4. When the Technical Committee is requested under the provisions of paragraph 2 above, it shall examine the matter and report to the Committee no later than three months from the date the technical issue was referred to it, unless the period is extended by mutual agreement between the parties to the dispute. Panel proceedings 5. In cases where the matter is not referred to the Technical Committee, the Committee shall establish a panel upon the request of any party to the dispute if no mutually satisfactory solution has been reached within three months from the date of the request to the Committee to investigate the matter. Where the matter is referred to the Technical Committee, the Committee shall establish a panel upon the request of any party to the dispute if no mutually satisfactory solution has been reached within one month from the date when the Technical Committee presents its report to the Committee. 6. (a) When a panel is established, it shall be governed by the procedures as set forth in Annex III. (b) If the Technical Committee has made a report on the technical aspects of the matter in dispute, the panel shall use this report as the basis for its consideration of the technical aspects of the matter in dispute. Enforcement 7. After the investigation is completed or after the report of the Technical Committee or panel is presented to the Committee, the Committee shall give the matter prompt consideration. With respect to panel reports, the Committee shall take appropriate action normally within 30 days of receipt of the report. Such action shall include: (i) a statement concerning the facts of the matter ; and (ii) recommendations to one or more Parties or any other ruling which it deems appropriate. 8. If a Party to which recommendations are addressed considers itself unable to implement them, it should promptly furnish reasons in writing to the Committee. In that event, the Committee shall consider what further action may be appropriate. 9. If the Committee considers that the circumstances are serious enough to justify such action, it may authorize one or more Parties to suspend the application to any other Party or Parties of such obligations under this Agreement as it determines to be appropriate in the circumstances. 10. The Committee shall keep under surveillance any matter on which it has made recommendations or given rulings. 11. If a dispute arises between Parties relating to rights and obligations under this Agreement, Parties should complete the dispute settlement procedures under this Agreement before availing themselves of any rights which they have under the GATT, including invoking Article XXIII thereof. PART III SPECIAL AND DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT