by the negotiators of the Trans-Pacific Partnership

“ A decision of the Commission shall be deemed to be taken only where: (i) all Parties have indicated agreement to the establishment of a working group to consider the request for accession, or (ii) if a Party does not indicate agreement when the Commission considers the issue, that Party has not objected in writing to the establishment of a working group to consider the request for accession within 7 days of the Commission’s consideration. ”

“ If the Commission adopts a decision approving the terms and conditions for an accession and inviting an accession candidate to become a Party, the Commission shall specify a period, which may be subject to extension by agreement of the Parties, during which the accession candidate may deposit an instrument of accession indicating that it accepts those terms and conditions. ”