l be
weighted in accordance with Article 148(2) of the Treaty establishing
the European Community, and for their adoption, acts of the Council
shall require at least fifty-four votes in favour, cast by at least eight
members.
3. If there is a change in circumstances having a substantial effect on
a question subject to joint action, the Council shall review the
principles and objectives of that action and take the necessary
decisions. As long as the Council has not acted, the joint action shall
stand.
4. Joint actions shall commit the Member States in the positions they
adopt and in the conduct of their activity.
5. Whenever there is any plan to adopt a national position or take
national action pursuant to a joint action, information shall be provided
in time to allow, if necessary, for prior consultations within the Council.
The obligation to provide prior information shall not apply to measures
which are merely a national transposition of Council decisions.
6. In cases of imperative need arising from changes in the situation
and failing a Council decision, Member States may take the necessary
measures as a matter of urgency having regard to the general
objectives of the joint action. The Member State concerned shall
inform the Council immediately of any such measures.
7. Should there be any major difficulties in implementing a joint action,
a Member State shall refer them to the Council which shall discuss
them and seek appropriate solutions. Such solutions shall not run
counter to the objectives of the joint action or impair its effectiveness.

ARTICLE J.4
1. The common foreign and security policy shall include all questions
related to the security of the Union, including the eventual framing of a
common defence policy, which might in time lead to a common
defence.
2. The union requests the Western European Union (WEU), which is an
integral part of the development of the Union, to elaborate and
implement decisions and actions of the Union which have defence
implications. The Council shall, in agreement with the institutions of
the WEU, adopt the necessary practical arrangements.
3. Issues having defence implications dealt with under this Article
shall not be subject to the procedures set out in Article J.3.
4. The policy of the Union in accordance with this Article shall not
prejudice the specific character of the security and defence policy of
certain Member States and shall respect the obligations of certain
Me