Article 23

The Commission shall decide, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 38, whether to grant a requesting country the special incentive arrangements for the protection of the environment.

The Commission shall notify a requesting country of a decision taken in accordance with paragraph 1. Where a country is granted the special incentive arrangements, it shall be informed of the date on which that decision enters into force.

Where a requesting country is not granted the special incentive arrangements, the Commission shall explain the reasons if that country so requests.

The Commission shall conduct all relations with a requesting country concerning the request in close coordination with the Committee.