agreements of a multilateral nature and rnultilateral machinery, which is to be developed further in due course. As the network of agreements grolrs denser, covering more extensive areas, and is consolidated as a result of the developnentof the regional tariff preference, which is a multilateral nechanism, more advanced stages of integration will be readily attainable. 8. The most-favoured-nation clause is in keeping with these concepts. Article 44of the Treaty makes provision for an unconditional and autonaticnost-favoured-nation clause similar to the one that governed the functioning of thetatin American Free Trade Association. However, an endeavour has been made, through other provisions, to make tbe clause guite flexible as regards relations among States menbers, relations between States menbers and Latin Anerican non-member States and, moreover, other developing countries outside Latin Anerica. 9. An endeavour has been macle to go beyond eriteria relating to fornal equality,taking account of the various levels of econonic development existing in the area, and to draw lessons from the inplenentation of the Treaty of Montevideo of 1960, of which tbe clause was a fundamental component. In the Treaty, the uncontiitional, automatic and general nature of the clause made the instrument inflexible or,rather' gave it an inflexibility that could not be attenuated by the principle ofreciprocity as regards both expectations and results, which was either disregardedor difficult to inplement owing to an unegual distribution of costs and benefits arising fron the process in question as a result of the various levels of economic development of the parties. I0. It was only through interpretative machinery that a number of exceptions emerged: resolution 99 (IV) on complementary agreements and resolution 202(CM-II/VI-El aod 222 (VII) concerning subregional agreements. when the general negotiations cane to a virtual halt a number of de facto situations contrary to article 18 were resorted to: the so-called agre.r.""t" b.tween two countries(resolution 354-1ff).
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing international trade agreements and their implications on economic development and cooperation among countries. The language used is technical and focuses on specific clauses and provisions in treaties, suggesting a strong connection to the field of international trade.

**Category**
International trade