The Commission 1. The Contracting Parties hereby establish within the framework of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (hereinafter referred to as "the Organization") a Commission to be known as the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (hereinafter referred to as "the Commission"), for the purpose of exercising the functions and discharging the responsibilities set forth in Article III below. 2. The Members of the Commission shall be such Members and Associate Members of the Organization and such non-member States as are members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency, that are: (i) coastal States or Associate Members situated wholly or partly within the Region; (ii) States or Associate Members whose vessels engage in fishing in the Region for stocks covered by this Agreement; or (iii) regional economic integration organizations of which any State referred to in subparagraphs (i), or (ii) above is a member and to which that State has transferred competence over matters within the purview of this Agreement; and which accept this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Article XIII below, it being understood that these provisions shall not affect the membership status in the Commission of such States that are not members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency as may have become parties to this Agreement prior to 22 May 1963. As regards Associate Members, this Agreement shall, in accordance with the provisions of Article XIV.5 of the Constitution and Rule XXI.3 of the General Rules of the Organization, be submitted by the Organization to the authority having responsibility for the international relations of such Associate Members.