2. Subject to Paragraph 3 of this Article, a proposal for the amendment of this Protocol shall be submitted to the Executive Secretary by any Member State for preliminary consideration by the Council. 3. The Executive Secretary shall submit a proposal for amendment to the Council under paragraph 2, after: a) all member states have been duly notified of the proposal; and b) three months have elapsed since the notification. ARTICLE 12 SIGNATURE This Protocol shall be signed by duly authorised representatives of Member States. ARTICLE 13 RATIFICATION This Protocol shall be ratified by the signatory states in accordance with their constitutional procedures. ARTICLE 14 ENTRY INTO FORCE This Protocol shall enter into force thirty (30) days after the deposit of the instruments of ratification by two thirds of the Member States. ARTICLE 15 ACCESSION This Protocol shall remain open for accession by any Member State, subject to Article 8 of the Treaty. ARTICLE 16 DEPOSITORY The original text of this Protocol and all instruments of ratification and accession shall be deposited with the Executive Secretary, who shall transmit certified copies to all Member States. 10