Article 1 
The Agreement for the implementation of the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the conservation and management of straddling fish stocks (fish which are found both inside and outside exclusive economic zones) and highly migratory fish stocks is hereby ratified on behalf of the European Community. The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision as Annex A.
Article 2 
1. The President of the Council shall deposit, on behalf of the European Community, the instrument of ratification and the declaration of competence set out in Annex B to this Decision, together with the interpretative declarations set out in Annex C to this Decision, with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in accordance with Articles 38, 47 and 49 of the Agreement. 2. The instrument of ratification shall be deposited simultaneously with the instruments of ratification of all the Member States. At the same time the Member States shall confirm the declarations made by the Community on ratification of the Agreement.
Article 3 
Where the Community initiates a dispute settlement procedure as provided for by the Agreement, it shall be represented by the Commission. Before taking any action the Commission shall consult the Member States, taking into account binding procedural time limits. Done at Luxembourg, 8 June 1998. For the Council The President J. CUNNINGHAM Done at Luxembourg, 8 June 1998. For the Council The President J. CUNNINGHAM For the Council The President J. CUNNINGHAM