18 DE ABRIL DE 1996

636-(17)

4) Subject to paragraph 3) and subparagraph 6), a), final provisions applying to a protocol shall be defined in that protocol.

5) A protocol shall apply only to the Contracting Parties which consent to be bound by it, and shall not derogate from the rights and obligations of those Contracting Parties not party to the Protocol.

6:

a) A Protocol may assign duties to the Charter Conference and functions to the Secretariat, provided that no such assignment may be made by an amendment to a Protocol unless that amendment is approved by the Charter Conference, whose approval shall not be subject to any provisions of the Protocol which are authorized by subparagraph b);

b) A Protocol which provides for decisions thereunder to be taken by the Charter Conference may, subject to subparagraph a), provide with respect to such decisions:

i) For voting rules other than those contained in article 36;

«)That only parties to the protocol shall be considered to be Contracting Parties for the purposes of article 36 or eligible to vote under the rules provided for in the Protocol.

Article 34 Energy Charter Conference

1) The Contracting Parties shall meet periodically in the Energy Charter Conference (referred to herein as the «Charter Conference* at which each Contracting Party shall be entitled to have one representative. Ordinary meetings shall be held at intervals determined by the Charter Conference.

2) Extraordinary meetings of the Charter Conference may be held at such times as may be determined by the Charter Conference, or at the written request of any Contracting Party, provided that, within six weeks of die request being communicated to the Contracting Parties by the Secretariat, it is supported by at least one-third of the Contracting Parties.*

3) The functions of the Charter Conference shall be to:

a) Carry out the duties assigned to it by this Treaty and any protocols; ' b) Keep under review and facilitate the implementation of the principles of the Charter and of the provisions of this Treaty and the Protocols;

c) Facilitate in accordance with this Treaty and the Protocols the coordination of appropriate general measures to carry out the principles of the Charter;

d) Consider and adopt programmes of work to be carried out by the Secretariat;

e) Consider and approve the annual accounts and budget of the Secretariat;

f) Consider and approve or adopt the terms of any headqurters or other agreement, including privileges and immunities considered necessary for the Charter Conference and the Secretariat;

g) Encourage cooperative efforts aimed at facilitating and promoting market-oriented reforms and modernization of energy sectors in those countries

of Central and Eastern Europe and the former . Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, undergoing

economic transition; h) Authorize and approve the terms of reference for

the negotiation of protocols, and consider and

adopt the texts thereof and of amendments thereto; 0 Authorize the negotiation of declarations, and

approve their issuance; j) Decide on accessions to this Treaty; k) Authorize the negotiation of and consider and

approve or adopt association agreements; /) Consider and adopt texts of amendments to this

Treaty;

m) Consider and approve modifications of and technical changes to the annexes to this Treaty;

n) Appoint the Secretary-General and take all decisions necessary for the establishment and functioning of the Secretariat including the structure, staff levels and standard terms of employment of officials and employees.

4) In the performance of its duties, the Charter Conference, through the Secretariat, shall cooperate with and make as full a use as possible, consistently with economy and efficiency, of the services and programmes of other institutions and organizations with established competence in matters related to the objectives of this Treaty.

5) The Charter Conference may establish such subsidiary bodies as it considers appropriate for the performance of its duties.

6) The Charter Conference shall consider and adopt rules of procedure and financial rules.

7) In 1999 and thereafter at intervals (of not more than five years) to be determined by the Charter Conference, the Charter Conference shall thoroughly review the functions provided for in this Treaty in the light of the extent to which the provisions of the Treaty and Protocols have been implemented. At the conclusion of each review the Charter Conference may amend or abolish the functions specified in paragraph 3) and may discharge the Secretariat.

Article 35 Secretariat

1) In carrying out its duties, the Charter Conference shall have a Secretariat which shall be composed of a Secretary-General and such staff as are the minimum consistent with efficient performance.

2) The Secretary-General shall be appointed by the Charter Conference. The first such appointment shall be for a maximum period of five years.

3) In the performance of its duties the Secretariat shall be responsible to and report to the Charter Conference.

4) The Secretariat shall provide the Charter Conference with all necessary assistance for the performance of its duties and shall carry out the functions assigned to it in this Treaty or in any protocol and any other functions assigned to it by the Charter Conference. (

5) The Secretariat may enter into such administrative and contractual arrangements as may be required for the effective discharge of its functions.