Article 18
Procedures in the absence of notification
1.If a watercourse State has reasonable grounds to believe that another watercourse State is
planning measures that may have a significant adverse effect upon it, the former State may request the
latter to apply the provisions of article 12. The request shall be accompanied by a documented
explanation setting forth its grounds.
2.In the event that the State planning the measures nevertheless finds that it is not under an
obligation to provide a notification under article 12, it shall so inform the other State, providing a
documented explanation setting forth the reasons for such finding. If this finding does not satisfy the
other State, the two States shall, at the request of that other State, promptly enter into consultations and
negotiations in the manner indicated in paragraphs 1 and 2 of article 17.
3.During the course of the consultations and negotiations, the State planning the measures shall, if
so requested by the other State at the time it requests the initiation of consultations and negotiations,
refrain from implementing or permitting the implementation of those measures for a period of six
months unless otherwise agreed.