SECTION 27

Settlement of disputes 1. In the event of a dispute between two or more Parties concerning the interpretation or application of this Convention, the Parties concerned shall seek through diplomatic channels a settlement of the dispute through negotiation or any other peaceful means of their own choice, including good offices, mediation, or conciliation. Failure to reach agreement by good offices, 25 mediation or conciliation shall not absolve parties to the dispute from the responsibility of continuing to seek to resolve it. 2. When ratifying, accepting, approving, formally confirming or acceding to the Convention, or at any time thereafter, a State or regional economic integration organization may declare in writing to the Depositary that, for a dispute not resolved in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article, it accepts, as compulsory, ad hoc arbitration in accordance with procedures to be adopted by consensus by the Conference of the Parties. 3. The provisions of this Article shall apply with respect to any protocol as between the parties to the protocol, unless otherwise provided therein.