Convention on Protection of the Alps (Alpine Convention)

 

Article 6

Powers of the Alpine Conference

During its sessions the Alpine Conference examines the application of the
Convention and its protocols as well as its annexes; in particular, it exercises
the following powers:

a) adoption of amendments to the present Convention according to the procedure
set down in article 10;

b) adoption of protocols and their annexes and amendments according to the
procedure set down in article 11;

c) adoption of its internal rules;

d) adoption of necessary fiscal measures;

e) formation of working groups judged necessary for the application of the
present Convention;

f) reception of scientific data and conclusions;

g) adoption or recommendation of measures aiming at the realization of the
objectives set down in articles 3 and 4; the Conference will establish the
formal content and frequency of transmission of the information to be presented
according to article 5, paragraph 4, and receive those reports as well as those
of working groups;

h) supervision of necessary secretariat functions.

Article 7

Resolutions of the Alpine Conference

1. Absent a contrary arrangement, the Alpine Conference decides by consensus.
Nevertheless, if in the case of the tasks mentioned at c, f, and g of article 6,
the possibilities of reaching a consensus have been exhausted and the chairman
so declares, resolutions will be adopted by a three-quarter majority of the
contracting Parties present and voting.

2. Each contracting Party has one vote in the Alpine Conference. In those
matters relevant to its competence the European Economic Community shall have
votes equal in number to the number of its members who are contracting Parties
to the present Convention; the European Economic Community shall not exercise
its right to vote in cases where its member States exercise theirs.

Article 8

Permanent Committee

1. A Permanent Committee, composed of delegations of the contracting Parties,
shall be established as executive organ.

2. Signatory Parties not yet ratifying shall have the status of observer at
sessions of the Permanent Committee. On request, this status may be granted as
well to any non-signatory Alpine state.

3. The Committee shall adopt its own working rules.

4. The Permanent Committee shall determine the manner of possible participation
at its sessions by representatives of governmental and non-governmental
organizations.

5. The contracting Party undertaking the chairmanship of the Alpine Conference
shall preside at the Permanent Committee.

6. In particular, the Permanent Committee shall have the following powers and
responsibilities:

a) analysis of the information transmitted by the contracting Parties under
article 5, paragraph 4, reporting this to the Alpine Conference,

b) collection and evaluation of documents concerning the application of the
present Convention together with protocols and annexes, submission of these
documents to the Alpine Conference in accordance with article 6,

c) informing the Alpine Conference of the application of its decisions,

d) preparation of the subject-matter of sessions of the Alpine Conference,
their agenda points, and other measures concerning the application of the
present Convention and its protocols,

e) formation of working groups, established in accordance with article 6(e),
for the preparation of protocols; coordination of the activities of these
groups,

f) examination and harmonization of the content of draft protocols from a
comprehensive perspective, submission of them to the Alpine Conference,

g) proposal of measures and recommendations for the realization of the
objectives of the Alpine Conference as contained in the present Convention and
its protocols.

7. The Permanent Committee shall adopt its decisions and resolutions according
to the provisions of article 7.

Article 9

Secretariat

The Alpine Conference may decide by consensus on the establishment of a
permanent Secretariat.

Article 10

Amendments to the Convention

Any contracting Party may submit proposals for amendments of the present
Convention to the Party undertaking the chairmanship of the Alpine Conference.
Such proposals shall be transmitted to the contracting and signatory Parties by
the Party undertaking chairmanship at least six months before the opening of the
Alpine Conference which will deliberate on it. Amendments to the Convention
shall enter into force in accordance with paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 of article 12.

Article 11

Protocols and their Amendments

1. The draft protocols mentioned at article 2, paragraph 3, shall be
transmitted to the contracting and signatory Parties by the Party undertaking
chairmanship at least six months before the opening of the session of the Alpine
Conference where it will be deliberated.

2. The protocols adopted by the Alpine Conference shall be signed at a sitting
of the Conference or at any time thereafter at the depository. They enter in
force for the contracting Parties upon ratification, acceptance, or approval.
At least three ratifications, acceptances, or approvals are necessary for a
protocol to enter into force. The deposit of the instruments concerned shall be
made with the Republic of Austria as depository.

3. Absent contrary provision in a protocol, its entry into force and
denunciation are governed by articles 10, 13, and 14.

4. Paragraphs 1 to 3 apply equally to amendments of protocols.

Article 12

Signature and Ratification

1. The present Convention shall be open for signature with the Republic of
Austria, depository, on or after 7 November 1991.

2. The Convention is subject to ratification, acceptance or approval.
Instruments of ratification, acceptance, or approval shall be deposited with
the depository.

3. The Convention shall enter into force three months after the date on which
three States have expressed their consent to be bound by the present agreement
in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 2.

4. It enters in force regarding any signatory Party subsequently expressing its
consent to be bound three months after the date of deposit of the instrument of
ratification, acceptance, or approval in accordance with the provisions of
paragraph 2.

Article 13

Denunciation

1. Any contracting Party may denounce the present Convention at any time by
notifying the depository.

2. The denunciation will take effect on the first day of the month following
the expiration of a period of six months from the date of receipt of the
notification by the depository.

Article 14

Notifications

The depository shall notify the contracting and signatory Parties of:

(a) any signature,

(b) the deposit of any instrument of ratification, acceptance, or approval,

(c) every date of entry in force of the present Convention in accordance with
article 12,

(d) any declaration made under paragraph 2 or 3 of article 1,

(e) any declaration made under the provisions of article 13, as well as the date
on which the denunciation takes effect.

In witness whereof the undersigned, duly authorized to that effect, have signed
the present Convention.

Done at Salzburg, 7 November 1991, in French, German, Italian, and Slovene, the
four texts equally valid, in a single document to be deposited in the state
archives of the Republic of Austria. The depository shall transmit a certified
copy to each of the signatory Parties.

Author: international