European Convention on the Recognition of the Legal Personality of International Non-Governmental Organisations

Parties with reservations, declarations and objections

Party	Reservations / Declarations	Objections
Austria	Yes	No
Belgium	Yes	No
France	Yes	No
Greece	Yes	No
Netherlands, the Kingdom of the	Yes	No
Portugal	Yes	No
Switzerland	Yes	No
United Kingdom	Yes	No

Austria

26-05-1992

In accordance with Article 3, paragraph 1, the competent authority is the Federal Ministry of the Interior.

Belgium

06-12-1996

In accordance with Article 3, paragraph 1, the competent authority is the "Administrateur Directeur Général de l'Administration de la Législation civile et des Cultes - Ministère de la Justice".

17-06-2008

In accordance with Article 3, paragraph 1, of the Convention, the competent authority is the "Greffe du Tribunal du Commerce"of the judiciary circonscription in which the organisation opens an office.

France

26-11-1999

The French Republic notes that the Council of Europe Convention of 24 April 1986 on the Recognition of the Legal Personality of International Non-Governmental Organisations is in several respects, applied differently in the States having already ratified it.

The French Republic recommends, in view of harmonisation, the negotiation of an amendment to this Convention, which would clarify in this respect the margin of interpretation for States Parties to the Convention.

For the time being, and awaiting the harmonisation which it recommends, the French Republic wishes to state that:

1. The following will be assumed to satisfy the conditions for applying the Convention, i.e. to have a "non-profit making aim of international utility" and to carry on "activities with effect in at least two States" (Article 1-a):
- international NGOs having a consultative status with the Council of Europe or with international organisations of the United Nations system, or having observer status in the Council of Europe steering Committees for intergovernmental co-operation;
- private, non-profit-making organisations carrying on activities in at least two countries, and having been recognised as being of international utility under the domestic law of one of the States parties in which they carry on their activities.

As concerning other organisations unable to claim such recognition, France will assess on a case by case basis their private, non-profit-making nature, their international utility, the carrying on of their activities with effect in at least two States and their situation with regard to the criteria laid down in Article 4.

2. Article 2 of the Convention will be interpreted as having no consequences, in particular as concerns fiscal aspects, other than those relating to the recognition of the legal personality and capacity under French law.

3. The Convention shall apply to the entire territory of the French Republic.

4. The organisations governed by French law which may be recognised as beneficiaries of the Convention in another State Party are: associations, associations recognised as being of public utility, associations governed by the local law of Alsace and Moselle, foundations recognised as being of public utility, corporate foundations, trade unions, religious congregations, mutual benefit or insurance societies and co-operatives.

The Convention shall apply to the entire territory of the French Republic.

Greece

29-11-1991

In accordance with Article 3, paragraph 1, the competent authority is the Court of First Instance (Monomeles Protodikío).

Netherlands, the Kingdom of the

21-02-2007

In accordance with Article 3, paragraph 1, of the Convention, the Netherlands competent authorities to certify a memorandum of association of a non-governmental organisation are the Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Portugal

17-09-1996

In accordance with Article 3, paragraph 1, of the Convention, the competent authority is "Registo Nacional de Pessoas Colectivas, Ministère de la Justice, 1-c, Praça Silvestre Pinheiro Ferreira, 1500 Lisbonne, Portugal".

Switzerland

16-10-1996

In accordance with Article 3, paragraph 1, the competent authority is the "Office fédéral de la Justice Département fédéral de Justice et Police CH-3003 BERNE".

United Kingdom

03-02-1989

The Convention is ratified in respect of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Isle of Man.

08-12-1989

In accordance with Article 8(2), I hereby declare, on behalf of the Government of the United Kingdom that the Convention shall extend to The Bailiwick of Guernsey.

07-10-1993

In accordance with Article 8 of the said Convention I hereby declare, on behalf of the Government of the United Kingdom, that the Agreement shall apply to the Bailiwick of Jersey, being a territory for whose international relations the Government of the United Kingdom are responsible.