Requirements for membership
Article 9
1. The following entities may become members of an ERIC: (a) Member States; (b) associated countries; (c) third countries other than associated countries; (d) intergovernmental organisations. 2. An ERIC shall have at least three Member States as members. Further Member States may join as members at any time on fair and reasonable terms specified in the Statutes and as observers without voting rights on conditions specified in the Statutes. Further associated countries and third countries other than associated countries as well as intergovernmental organisations may also become members of an ERIC, subject to approval by the assembly of members, referred to in Article 12(a), in accordance with the conditions of and procedure for changes in membership laid down in its Statutes. 3. Member States shall hold jointly the majority of the voting rights in the assembly of members. 4. Any Member State, associated country or third country may be represented by one or more public entities, including regions or private entities with a public service mission, as regards the exercise of specified rights and the discharge of specified obligations as a member of the ERIC. 5. Associated countries, third countries and intergovernmental organisations applying for the setting-up of or for membership in an ERIC shall recognise that that ERIC shall have legal personality and capacity in accordance with Article 7(1) and (2) and that it shall be subject to rules determined in application of Article 15. 6. Associated and third countries applying for the setting-up of or for membership in an ERIC shall accord to the ERIC treatment equivalent to that following from Articles 5(1)(d) and 7(3).