Article 8 Committee procedures The following provisions shall apply to the ministerial committees of the Organ: a) the quorum for all meetings shall be two-thirds of the State Parties; b) the ministerial committees shall determine their own rules of procedure; and c) decisions shall be taken by consensus. Article 9 Secretariat The SADC Secretariat shall provide secretariat services to the Organ. Article 10 Co-operation with non-state parties and international organisations 1. In recognition of the fact that political, defence and security matters transcend national and regional boundaries, co-operation agreement on these matters between State Parties and nonState Parties, and between State Parties and organisations, other than SADC, shall be accepted provided that such agreements shall not: a) be inconsistent with the objectives and other provisions of the Treaty and this Protocol; b) impose obligations upon a State Party that is not a party to such cooperation agreement, and c) impede a State Party from fulfilling its obligations under the Treaty and this Protocol. 60