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1. Countries members of the Economic Commission for Europe, countries admitted to the Commission in a consultative capacity in accordance with paragraph 8 of the Commission's Terms of Reference, and regional economic integration organizations set up by countries members of the Economic Commission for Europe, to which their Member States have transferred powers in the fields covered by this Agreement, including the power to make binding decisions on their Member States, may become Contracting Parties to this Agreement.
For the determination of the number of votes referred to in Article 2, paragraph 1 and in Article 3, paragraph 2, regional economic integration organizations vote with the number of votes of their Member States being members of the Economic Commission for Europe.
2. Countries Members of the United Nations as may participate in certain activities of the Economic Commission for Europe in accordance with Paragraph 11 of the Commission's Terms of Reference and regional economic integration organizations of such countries to which their Member States have transferred powers in the fields covered by this Agreement including power to make binding decisions on their Member States may become Contracting Parties to this Agreement.
For the determination of the number of votes referred to in Article 2, paragraph 1 and in Article 3, paragraph 2, regional economic integration organizations vote with the number of votes of their Member States being Members of the United Nations.
3. Countries under paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article may become Contracting Parties to the Agreement:
a) by signing it without reservation to a ratification;
b) by ratifying it after signing it subject to ratification;
c) by acceding to it.
4. Ratification or accession shall be effected by the deposit of an instrument with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
5. The Agreement shall be open for signature from 13 November 1997 until 30 June 1998 inclusive. Thereafter, it shall be open for accession.