6. Where the original arbitration panel is requested to rule on the conformity with the Agreement of an implementing measure adopted after the suspension of benefits under paragraph 4 of this Article, the procedures and deadlines established under Annex 10 shall apply.
7. The suspension of benefits will be a temporary measure and is not intended to replace the agreed objective of full compliance. Benefits will only be suspended until the measure found to be in breach of the Agreement has been withdrawn or amended so as to bring it into conformity with the Agreement, or when the disputing parties have reached an agreement on the resolution of the dispute. The responding Party shall notify the complaining party and the Joint Committee of the measures it has taken to comply.
8. Where the disputing Parties disagree on the conformity with this Agreement of any implementing measure adopted after the suspension of benefits, the responding party may request the original arbitration panel to rule on this issue. If the arbitration panel rules that the implementing measure is not in conformity with this Agreement, the arbitration panel will determine whether the complaining Party may resume the suspension of benefits at the same or a different level.
Article 9.10. Temporary Remedies for Non-compliance
1. If, prior to the deadline for implementation determined under Paragraph 2 of Article 9.9, the responding Party considers that it will require further time to comply with the arbitration panel ruling, it will inform the complaining Party of the extra period of time it requires, whilst presenting an offer of market-opening compensation for this additional period of time until it comes into compliance with the ruling.
2. If there is no agreement to the responding Party's request for an extension to the time required for implementation, or on market-opening compensation, the complaining Party may suspend benefits under this Agreement. Article 9.9 shall apply in this case mutatis mutandis.
Article 9.11. Rules of Procedure
1. The Rules of Procedure set out at Annex 10 shall apply to the procedures established in this Chapter. These Rules and any timeframes specified in this Chapter may be amended by the Joint Committee
2. The disputing Parties may agree to vary these Rules to facilitate the resolution of their dispute.
Chapter 10. FINAL PROVISIONS
Article 10.1. Annexes and Side Letters
The Annexes and Side Letters to this Agreement shall form an integral part of this Agreement.
Article 10.2. Amendments
1. Any Party may submit proposals for amendments to this Agreement to the Joint Committee for consideration and approval.
2. Amendments to this Agreement shall, after approval by the Joint Committee, be submitted to the Parties for ratification, acceptance or approval in accordance with the constitutional requirements or legal procedures of the respective Parties.
3. Amendments to this Agreement shall enter into force in the same manner as provided for in Article 10.5, unless otherwise agreed by the Parties.
Article 10.3. Accession
1. Any State which becomes one of the GCC Member States may accede to this Agreement, provided that the Joint Committee decides to approve its accession, on terms and conditions to be agreed upon by the Parties.
2. This Agreement shall apply to that State upon the conclusion of and entry into force of amendments to this Agreement to provide for the accession of that State to this Agreement.
3. The entry into force of the amendments referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article shall be in accordance with Article 10.2.
Article 10.4. Withdrawal and Termination
1. The GCC may terminate this Agreement by means of a written notification to Singapore, or Singapore may terminate this Agreement by means of a written notification to the GCC. The termination shall take effect six (6) months after the date of notification.
2. Any State which withdraws from the Charter of the Co-operation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf shall ipso facto cease to be a Party to this Agreement six (6) months after the date the withdrawal takes effect. That State and the GCC Secretariat shall immediately inform Singapore of that State's withdrawal.
3. Any Party may terminate its participation in this Agreement by means of a written notification to the other Parties. The termination shall take effect, in case of Singapore six (6) months after all the GCC Member States have received its notification of termination, and in the case of a GCC Member State six (6) months after its notification of termination is received by Singapore.
4. Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties, the termination by any Party of its participation in this Agreement pursuant to paragraph 3 of this Article shall not affect the validity or duration of any contract, project or activity within the purview of this Agreement until such time these contracts, projects or activities are completed.
Article 10.5. Entry Into Force
This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date of the receipt of the last written notification through the diplomatic channels by which the Parties inform each other that all necessary requirements have been fulfilled.
Conclusion
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto, have signed this Agreement.
DONE at Doha, Qatar in duplicate, in the English and Arabic languages, this 15th day of December 2008, which corresponds to this 17th day of Dhu Al-Hijjah, 1429 Hijri. In the event of any inconsistency, the English text shall prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.
For the Governments of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf
HAMAD BIN JASSIM BIN JABR AL-THANI
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs State of Qatar President-in-Office of the Ministerial Council Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf
ABDULRAHMAN BIN HAMAD AL-ATTTYAH
Secretary-General Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf
For the Government of the Republic of Singapore
LEE HSIEN LOONG
Prime Minister Republic of Singapore