Article 3

The position which the European Community may be required to take within the Energy Charter Conference, set up by the Energy Charter Treaty, with regard to decisions of that Conference requiring the introduction or modification of Community legislation shall, subject to paragraph 3, be adopted by the Council, acting in accordance with the relevant rules of the Treaty establishing the European Community.

The Council shall act by qualified majority. However, the Council shall act by unanimity if the decision to be taken by the said Conference covers a field for which unanimity would be required for the adoption of internal Community rules.

In other cases, the position to be taken by the European Community shall be adopted by the Council.

For matters falling within paragraph 1, the Council and the Commission shall fully inform the European Parliament on a regular basis and shall give the European Parliament the opportunity to express its views on the position of the Community to be taken in the Conference referred to in paragraph 1.

In the case of decisions of the said Conference pursuant to Article 34(7) of the Energy Charter Treaty, the Council shall consult, or obtain the assent of, the European Parliament before taking its decision, under the conditions laid down in Article 228(3) of the Treaty establishing the European Community.

The position to be taken in the name of the European Coal and Steel Community shall be adopted by the Commission with the approval of the Council, acting by qualified majority or unanimity according to the subject matter.

The position to be taken in the name of the European Atomic Energy Community shall be adopted by the Commission with the approval of the Council acting by a qualified majority.