ASSOCIATION OF CARIBBEAN STATES

THIRD ORDINARY MEETING OF THE MINISTERIAL COUNCIL

Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, November 28, 1997

Agreement No. 13/97

 

PROCEDURES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CO-OPERATION AGREEMENTS BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL WITH THIRD PARTIES, INSTITUTIONS, GROUPS OF STATES AND OTHER ENTITIES

 

The Ministerial Council,

Pursuant to:

Articles IX, item (h) and XV, items 1 (b), 1(f) and 2 of the Convention Establishing the Association of Caribbean States;

Whereas:

The procedure for the Secretary General to negotiate and conclude agreements with third parties, institutions, groups of States and other entities needs to be regulated;

Hereby Agrees:

1. Proposals to negotiate such agreements may be the initiative of:

a. The Ministerial Council

b. The Chairman of the Ministerial Council

c. The Executive Board of the Ministerial Council

d. Any Member State or Associate Member

e. The Secretary General

f. The Chairmen of the Special Committees

g. The Chairman of the Council of National Representatives of the Special Fund.

2. Each proposal must clearly define the objectives of the Association and the counterpart in seeking such an agreement, and the framework, guidelines and scope for the development of negotiations.

3. Unless the initiative arises from an agreement of the Ministerial Council itself, the Chairman shall circulate the proposal to the Member States and Associate Members, who must make their approval, disapproval or comments known within 30 days.

4. If no substantive objections have been raised during the 30-day period, the Chairman of the Ministerial Council will authorise the Secretary General to prepare and pursue the relevant negotiations.

  1. The Secretary General will keep the Members of the Executive Board of the Ministerial Council informed of the course of negotiations and will consult them as appropriate.

The Executive Board will decide whether a particular case should be referred to the Member States for consultation.

6. When the proposed Agreement is related to the activities of one of the Special Committees, the Secretary General will inform the Chairman of that Committee and will request his comments within 30 days; the Secretariat will inform the Chairman of the Ministerial Council of those comments.

7. When a draft Agreement is negotiated by the Secretary General and the other party, the draft Agreement will, with the consent of the Chairman, be circulated to the Member States and Associate Members for their approval.

  1. If there is no substantive objection by a Member State or Associate Member within the next 60 days, the Agreement will be signed. Otherwise, the draft Agreement will be referred to the Ministerial Council for consideration.

9. Proposed Agreements with third parties, which have been authorised and which refer only to aspects of technical co-operation involving the activities of the Secretariat and the Special Committees, need only be approved by the Executive Board of the Ministerial Council and the Chairman of the Special Fund.