or parties of any such obligation, the CONTRACTING PAPTIES shall sponsor and assist in negotiations between the applicant contracting party and the other contracting party or parties which would be substantially affected with a view to obtaining substantial agreement. The CONTRACTING PARTIES shall establish and communicate to the contracting parties concerned a time schedule for such negotiations. (b) Contracting parties shall commence the negotiations provlded for in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph within such period as the CONTRACTING PARTIES may prescribe and shall thereafter, unless the CONTRACTING PARTIES decide otherwise, proceed continuously with such negotiations with a view to reaching substantial agreement in accordance with the time schedule laid down by the CONTRACTING PARTIES. (o) Upon substantial agreement being reached, the CONTRACT- ING PARTIES may release the applicant contracting party from the obligation referred to in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph or from any other relevant obligation under this Agreement, subject to such limitations as may have been agreed upon in the negotiations between the contracting parties concerned. 4. (a) If, as a result of their examination pursuant to paragraph 2(o) of this Article, the CONTRACTING PARTIES concur in any proposed measure, with or without modification, other than a measure referred to in paragraph 3(a) of this Article, which would be inconsistent with any provision of this Agreement, the CONTRACTIIM PARTIES may release the applicant contracting party from any obligation under such provision, subject to such limitations as they may impose. . Xi' a M .! \I. d i:i:\i!.\ I I A\ T 11K I .'B AMI T1P\;i l( ** 'T :<il' li4-
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