RESOLUTION 1.1

ACCEPTING CANDIDATE PARTIES FOR THE RIGHT TO VOTE AT THE FIRST SESSION OF THE MEETING OF THE PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT ON THE CONSERVATION OF CETACEANS OF THE BLACK SEA, MEDITERRANEAN SEA AND CONTIGUOUS ATLANTIC AREA

The Meeting of the Parties to the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic Area,  

Aware of the fact that becoming a Party to the Agreement might be a long process that many States have embarked upon but have not yet been able to bring to completion in time for the start of the first Meeting of the Parties, on 28 February 2002

Informed however by the Depository that some States have in fact completed the process in time for the start of the first Meeting of the Parties but must wait until the first day of the third month after the completion of its procedures in conformity with Article XIV, paragraph 2, of the Agreement;

Convinced that the decision-making process at the first Meeting of the Parties will benefit from the active participation of as many Parties as possible;

1. Decides that, Tunisia, although she is officially requested to wait, meet the above criteria for being a Party and shall exceptionally be granted the status of full participating Party with the right to vote;

2. Instructs the Credentials Committee to monitor the credentials of Tunisia according to the accepted procedures and report to the Meeting;

3. Decides that this derogation shall only apply at this first Meeting of the Parties.