Settlement of disputes
Article 24
1. The Parties shall endeavour to resolve any dispute concerning the application or interpretation of this Agreement by means of prompt consultations. 2. If a dispute has not been settled by consultation within three months from the date of the initial consultation request, each Party may submit the dispute to the Joint Implementation Committee, which shall endeavour to resolve it. The Committee shall obtain all information relevant to an in-depth examination of the situation with a view to finding an acceptable solution. To this end, it is required to examine all possible ways of maintaining the good functioning of this Agreement. 3. In the event that the Joint Implementation Committee cannot resolve the dispute, the Parties may: (a) jointly seek the good offices of, or request mediation by, a third Party; (b) go to arbitration. In the event that it is not possible to resolve the dispute in accordance with paragraph 3(a), either Party may notify the other of the appointment of an arbitrator; the other Party must then appoint a second arbitrator within 30 calendar days of the appointment of the first arbitrator. The Parties shall jointly appoint a third arbitrator within two months of the appointment of the second arbitrator. The arbitrators’ decisions shall be taken by a majority vote within six months of the appointment of the third arbitrator. The arbitrators’ decisions shall be binding on the Parties, and shall be without appeal. 4. The Joint Implementation Committee shall establish the methods of arbitration.