1. Subject to paragraphs 2 and 3, when a claim is submitted under Article 33 (Submission of a Claim), the tribunal shall decide the issues in dispute in accordance with
this Agreement, any other applicable agreements between the Member States, and the applicable rules of international law and where applicable, any relevant domestic law of the disputing Member State. 

2. The tribunal shall, on its own account or at the request of a disputing party, request a joint interpretation of any provision of this Agreement that is in issue in a dispute. The Member States shall submit in writing any joint decision declaring their interpretation to the tribunal within 60 days of the delivery of the request. Without prejudice to paragraph 3, if the Member States fail to issue such a decision within 60 days, any interpretation submitted by a Member State shall be forwarded to the disputing parties and the tribunal, which shall decide the issue on its own account.

3. A joint decision of the Member States, declaring their interpretation of a provision of this Agreement shall be binding on a tribunal, and any decision or award issued by a tribunal must be consistent with that joint decision.