Artikel 18

1. A regional economic integration organization that is constituted by sovereign States and has competence over certain matters governed by this Convention may similarly sign, ratify, accept, approve or accede to this Convention. The regional economic integration organization shall in that case have the rights and obligations of a State Party, to the extent that that organization has competence over matters governed by this Convention. For the purposes of articles 21 and 22, an instrument deposited by a regional economic integration organization shall not be counted in addition to the instruments deposited by its member States.
2. The regional economic integration organization shall make a declaration specifying the matters governed by this Convention in respect of which competence has been transferred to that organization by its member States. The regional economic integration organization shall promptly notify the depositary of any changes to the distribution of competence, including new transfers of competence, specified in the declaration under this paragraph.
3. Any reference to a “State”, “States”, “State Party” or “States Parties” in this Convention applies equally to a regional economic integration organization where the context so requires.
4. This Convention shall not affect the application of rules of a regional economic integration organization, whether adopted before or after this Convention:
a) In relation to the transmission of a notice of judicial sale between member States of such an organization; or
b) In relation to the jurisdictional rules applicable between member States of such an organization.