Part IV DISSOLUTION Provided that the Agency shall not accept loans, grants, special funds or other assistance that may prejudice, limit, deflect or otherwise alter its objectives under this Charter. Article 20 Termination of Operations 1. This Charter shall be of indefinite duration. Article 17 Application of Resources 2. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1, the Authority may terminate the operations of the Agency. The resources and facilities of the Agency shall be used to attain the objectives of the Agency as set out in this Charter. 3. After the operations of the Agency have been terminated, the Agency shall forthwith cease all activities except that incidental to orderly relations, the conservation and preservation of its assets and settlement of its obligations. Article 18 Reserve Funds The Agency shall maintain a reserve fund into which any budgetary surplus in any financial year shall be deposited. The reserve fund shall be employed in such a manner and for such purposes as the Board may determine. Article 21 Liability of Member States and Payment of Claims 1. In the event of the termination of operations of the Agency, the liability of the Member States for their share of contributions due shall continue until all claims of creditors, including all contingent claims, have been discharged. Article 19 Accounts of the Agency and External Auditors 1. The accounts of the Agency relating to each financial year shall be prepared in accordance with international accounting standards and shall be audited in the following financial year by external auditors appointed by Council under Article 169 of the Treaty. 2. The external auditors shall examine all documents and books of account relating to the operations and administration of the Agency and report thereon to the Board and Council. 2. All creditors holding direct claims shall first be paid out of the assets of the Agency and then out of contributions owing. Before making any payments to creditors holding direct claims, the Council shall make such arrangements as are necessary to ensure a pro-rata distribution among holders of direct and contingent claims. Article 22 Distribution of Assets 1. No distribution of assets shall be made to Member States on account of their contributions to the budget until all liabilities to creditors have been discharged or provided for and any such 41