Artikel XVIII

1. For the period from the entry into force of this Agreement to 31 December following, the Council shall make budgetary arrangements and expenditure shall be covered by assessments upon Member States established in accordance with the following two paragraphs.
2. States Parties to this Agreement upon its coming into force, and States which may become parties up to 31 December following, shall together bear the whole of the expenditure foreseen in the budgetary arrangements which the Council may adopt in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article.
3. The assessments upon States covered by paragraph 2 of this Article shall be established on a provisional basis according to the need and in conformity with paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article X of this Agreement. On the expiry of the period indicated in paragraph 1 of this Article a definitive sharing of costs as between these States shall be effected on the basis of actual expenditures. Any excess payment by a State, over and above its definitive share as thus established shall be placed to its credit.