Article 21
1. This Agreement shall not preclude the maintenance or establishment of customs unions, free trade areas or arrangements for frontier trade, except in so far as they alter the trade arrangements provided for in this Agreement. 2. Consultation between the Parties shall take place within the Association Council concerning agreements establishing customs unions or free trade areas and, where requested, on other major issues related to their respective trade policy with third countries. In particular, in the event of a third country acceding to the Union, such consultation shall take place so as to ensure that account can be taken of the mutual interests of the Parties.