ANNEX 1 ·CONCERNING THE SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES BETWEEN THE STATE PARTIES PREAMBLE The State Parties HAVING UNDERTAKEN to progressively liberalise intra-regional trade in services on the basis of fair, mutually equitable and beneficial arrangements; AND HAVING REGARD to the provisions of Article 25 of this Protocol on the settlement of disputes; HEREBY AGREE as follows; ARTICLE 1 Scope and Application The Rules and Procedures of this Annex shall apply to the settlement of disputes between State Parties concerning their rights and obligations under this Protocol. ARTICLE 2 Forum Shopping If a State Party has invoked the Rules and Procedures of this Annex or any other applicable international dispute settlement mechanism with respect to any matter, that State Party shall not invoke another dispute settlement mechanism on the matter. ARTICLE 3 Cooperation The State Parties shall: (a) at all times endeavour to agree on the interpretation and application of this Protocol; (b) make every attempt through cooperation to arrive at a mutually satisfactory resolution of any matter that may affect the operation of this Protocol; and (c) make use of the rules and procedures of this Annex to resolve disputes in a speedy, cost effective and equitable manner. 22