Article 44 — Requirements for membership of a SEAP

1. The following countries may be members of a SEAP: (a) Member States; (b) associated countries; (c) Ukraine. 2. Associated countries or Ukraine may be members of a SEAP subject to their recognition, for the benefit of the SEAP, of the most extensive legal capacity accorded to legal entities under the law of that country, including for the purposes of concluding contracts and being a party to legal proceedings. 3. Member States, associated countries or Ukraine may join as members of a SEAP at any time after that SEAP’s establishment, on fair and reasonable terms specified in the statutes referred to in Article 45, or as observers without voting rights on conditions specified in those statutes. 4. A SEAP may also cooperate with a non-associated third country other than Ukraine or another third-country entity, including by using the assets, infrastructure, facilities and resources of such legal entities, provided that such cooperation does not contravene the security and defence interests of the Union and its Member States, including the respect of the principle of good neighbourly relations.