Article 18

The provisions of the Convention relating to any protocol shall apply with respect to this Protocol.

The rules of procedure and the financial rules adopted pursuant to Article 18 (2) of the Convention shall apply with respect to this Protocol, unless the Parties to this Protocol agree otherwise.

This Protocol shall be open for signature, at Geneva on 3 and 4 April 1982, and at Madrid from 5 April 1982 to 2 April 1983 by any Contracting Party to the Convention and any State invited to the Conference of plenipotentiaries on the Protocol concerning Mediterranean specially protected areas, held at Geneva on 2 and 3 April 1982. It shall also be open for signature from 5 April 1982 to 2 April 1983 by any regional economic grouping of which at least one member is a coastal State of the Mediterranean Sea area and which exercises competence in fields covered by this Protocol.

This Protocol shall be subject to ratification, acceptance or approval. Instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Government of Spain, which will assume the functions of depositary.

As from 3 April 1983, this Protocol shall be open for accession by the Contracting Parties to the Convention and by any State or grouping referred to in paragraph 3.

This Protocol shall enter into force on the 30th day following the deposit of at least six instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval of, or accession to, the Protocol.