Procedure
Article 3
1. Representatives of the fisheries sector and other interest groups with an interest in one of the Regional Advisory Councils shall submit a request concerning the operation of that Regional Advisory Council to the Member States concerned and to the Commission. The request shall be compatible with the objectives, principles and guidelines of the Common Fisheries Policy as set out in Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 and shall include: (a) a statement of objectives; (b) operating principles; (c) initial rules of procedure; (d) the budget estimate; (e) a provisional list of organisations. 2. The Member States concerned shall determine whether the application is representative and in accordance with the provisions laid down in this Decision, if necessary following discussions with stakeholder interests, and shall, by common agreement, transmit a recommendation to the Commission on that Regional Advisory Council. 3. After evaluation of the recommendation and possible amendments to the request, the Commission shall adopt a decision as soon as possible and in any event shall aim to adopt it at the latest within three months, specifying the date from which the Regional Advisory Council shall become operational. The decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union .