The European Outline Convention on Transfrontier Co-operation between Territorial Communities or Authorities was opened for signature in Madrid on 21 May 1980 as European Treaty No. 106. It is not the 1995 Additional Protocol (ETS 159), nor the 1998 second protocol. The authentic texts are English and French, in a single copy deposited in the archives of the Council of Europe. The Secretary General transmits certified copies. The appendix of model agreements between States and between local authorities is guidance; it has no treaty value.

Article 1: each Party undertakes to facilitate and foster transfrontier co-operation between territorial communities or authorities within its jurisdiction and those within the jurisdiction of other Parties, and to promote any agreements that may prove necessary, with due regard to different constitutional provisions. Article 2 defines transfrontier co-operation as concerted action to reinforce neighbourly relations, within the powers defined in domestic law; the Convention does not alter the scope of those powers. “Territorial communities or authorities” means bodies exercising local and regional functions and regarded as such under domestic law; a Party may confine or exclude categories by declaration.

Article 3 requires Parties to encourage initiatives inspired by the outline arrangements drawn up in the Council of Europe and, if they judge necessary, the inter-state model agreements. Article 4: Parties shall endeavour to resolve legal, administrative or technical difficulties liable to hamper co-operation and shall consult. Article 5: they shall consider granting the same facilities as for co-operation at national level. Article 7: they shall see that the authorities concerned are informed of the means of action open under the Convention. Article 8: Parties forward to the Secretary General information on the agreements concluded. No euroregion handbook is transcribed.

Article 9: open to signature by the member States of the Council of Europe; instruments are deposited with the Secretary General. It enters into force three months after the deposit of the fourth instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval, provided that at least two of those States possess a common frontier. The Treaty Office records 22 December 1981. Article 10 allows a European non-member State to accede, by unanimous decision of the Committee of Ministers and with the express agreement of each State that has ratified.

Cover: the Palacio de Santa Cruz in Madrid, the historic seat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; we do not claim the hall. Wikimedia Commons, free licence.

Sources consulted: Outline Convention on Transfrontier Co-operation; European Outline Convention on Transfrontier Co-operation between Territorial Communities or Authorities (ETS No. 106).