Agreement on the Interparliamentary Conference of Northwestern Switzerland (IPK) - Purpose (IPK)
Table of Provisions (9)
Statutory Text (9 Provisions)
1. The Interparliamentary Conference of Northwestern Switzerland (IPK) aims to promote mutual information among the parliamentary assemblies of the northwestern Swiss cantons and to support and advise on regional matters. For this purpose, thematic conferences are organized.
2. It may publicly express its views on current issues and issue statements, particularly to the cantonal parliaments of Northwestern Switzerland, the cantonal governments of Northwestern Switzerland, and the Northwestern Switzerland Government Conference (NWRK).
1. The IPK is composed of the presidents, the first vice presidents, and three permanent members from each of the six cantonal parliaments.
2. The permanent members are elected by the respective cantonal parliaments.
1. The permanent members of the IPC constitute the working committee.
2. The working committee specifically prepares the annual meeting and the declarations.
1. The chairmanship of the IPK rotates every 2 years, effective from January 1st, in the following order: Solothurn, Basel-Landschaft, Aargau, Basel-Stadt, Jura, Bern.
2. The chairperson of the IPK simultaneously presides over the Working Committee. The election is conducted by the IPK.
1. An annual conference of the IPK is held, usually on the last Friday in October.
2. It is open to all members of the affiliated cantonal parliaments.
1. The working committee submits the declarations of the IPC for resolution.
2. The IPC adopts the declarations with a two-thirds majority, with at least two affirmative votes required from each canton.
1. The State Chancellery of the Canton of Basel-Landschaft, which also manages the secretariat of the NWRK, runs the secretariat of the IPK.
2. The secretariat must ensure smooth information exchange between the IPK, other interparliamentary organizations, particularly the Intercantonal Legislative Conference (ILK), and the NWRK.
1. To cover the secretariat costs for the IPK and the NWRK, the conference cantons shall pay annual lump-sum contributions to the Canton of Basel-Landschaft.
2. The NWRK shall annually determine the amounts, which are the same for each canton.
1. Presentations and votes at the meetings are translated simultaneously. Invitations to the meetings and statements are drafted bilingually; this can also apply to other documents of a public nature.
2. The IPK reimburses the host canton for the costs of simultaneous translations at the meetings up to a maximum amount equivalent to the annual contribution of a member canton.
3. The correspondence of the Secretariat is conducted in the German language.
4. French-speaking members of the Conference may use the French language.