Order Concerning the Ratification of the Convention on the Conference of Cantonal Governments

The Republic and Canton of Jura ratifies the Convention of October 8, 1993, on the Conference of Cantonal Governments.

**The Governments of the Cantons**

The governments of the cantons establish a Permanent Conference of Cantonal Governments. Its purpose is to promote collaboration among the cantons within their own spheres of competence and to ensure essential coordination and information among the cantons in matters of federal affairs affecting them, particularly in the following areas

- the renewal and development of federalism;

- the distribution of competences between the Confederation and the cantons;

- the formulation and preparation of decisions at the federal level;

- the execution of federal competences by the cantons;

- foreign policy and integration.

The portion of the Conference expenses attributable to the Republic and Canton of Jura under Article 14 of the Convention shall be charged to the Government, account 101.319.00.

Members of the Conference of Cantonal Governments are the governments of the cantons.

Each cantonal government is entitled to one seat. The selection of the representative and the duration of the mandate is the prerogative of each cantonal government.

The governments of the cantons may, subject to the equal participation of the votes of the cantonal governments, send additional government representatives to the Conference. The representatives of the cantons may exceptionally be accompanied by collaborators or experts.

This order comes into force immediately.

The Federal Council shall be invited to participate in the sessions of the Conference.

It may request the Conference to discuss and make a decision on matters affecting the interests of the cantons.

The Conference ensures appropriate coordination with other vertical cooperation institutions.

The Conference collaborates with the directors' conferences and with other inter-cantonal conferences.

The Conference of Cantonal Governments is composed of the following bodies

- the plenary conference, consisting of representatives from the governments of all the cantons;

- the Bureau, consisting of seven to nine members;

- a permanent secretariat subordinate to the Bureau.

The plenary conference elects for two years (re-eligible)

- the president;

- the Board.

It appoints the secretariat.

It makes all the decisions that do not fall within the competence of another body.

The plenary conference generally meets twice a year.

The dates of the assemblies shall be set in advance by the plenary conference.

Members of the conference shall be informed in writing at least ten days in advance of the ordinary assembly.

The following may place items on the agenda

- the Bureau;

- each cantonal government;

- the conferences of directors.

The President may convene the plenary conference in an extraordinary assembly at the request of

- the Bureau or

- at least three cantons.

In case of a particular urgent emergency

- the convening periods provided in Article 7, paragraph 2, may be shortened;

- the forms of convening may be simplified;

- resolutions may be adopted by written procedure; in this case, Articles 9 and 10 shall apply.

The plenary conference may validly make a decision when at least eighteen cantons are represented.

Each cantonal government has one vote.

The plenary conference may determine other procedural matters in its regulations.

When the plenary conference makes a decision by a majority of eighteen cantons, this is deemed to constitute the position of the Conference of Cantonal Governments.

The right of the cantons to adopt their own positions is guaranteed.

The Bureau is the executive and managing body of the Conference of Cantonal Governments. It handles current affairs and prepares the meeting of the plenary conference.

For the handling of specific projects or for the study of matters of greater significance, the Bureau may establish permanent or non-permanent commissions, as well as appoint representatives.

The President shall convene the Bureau as often as necessary or upon the request of a member.

The secretariat is responsible for preparing the plenary conference session and the Bureau meeting, as well as keeping the minutes. It ensures adequate and current information is provided and disseminates documentation to the Conference bodies, as well as to the cantons and other interested parties.

The expenses of the Conference of Cantonal Governments shall be divided proportionally to the population of the cantons.

This convention shall enter into force one month after the day on which all the cantons have ratified it in writing. The Council of State of the canton of Bern shall be the depository.

Immediately after examining all the instruments of ratification, the Council of State of the Canton of Bern shall bring the convention to the attention of the Federal Council.

This agreement may be terminated by any canton with six months' notice given to the President before the end of a calendar year.

After a termination, the Conference examines the possibilities of maintaining this agreement.

This convention shall be drafted in German, French, and Italian.

The cantonal governments shall ensure that this convention is published in a manner that is consistent.