Directorate General of Legal Affairs - DG I
In the legal field, the Council of Europe contributes to the harmonisation of Europe's legal systems on the basis of standards which are laid down within the Organisation. Its overall aim is to encourage the establishment and development of democratic institutions and procedures at national, regional and local level, and to promote respect for the principles of the rule of law. (more ...)				Upcoming events
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				Last up-date of this portal: 20/11/03 14:32
Conventions - Recent signatures and ratifications 18 November 2003, Strasbourg The "former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" ratified the European Landscape Convention and the European Convention on Transfrontier Television. 17 November 2003, Strasbourg The Czech Republic ratified the Convention on Transfrontier Television. Spain ratified the Protocol of Amendment to the Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes. Liechtenstein signed the Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Extradition. For further information on European Treaties: Archives: 2003 - 2002 European Treaties Website (including Database with search engine) Glossary on the Treaties
	OCTOPUS Interface 2003 Seminar "Focus on specialised anti-corruption services : European best practice" 5-7 November 2003, Strasbourg (France) The Octopus Interface 2003 seminar closed on Friday afternoon with the adoption of a set of conclusions. More than 100 participants from 45 member States, and national and international organisations shared experience on good practice in Europe. The proposals aim at further strengthening specialised anti-corruption bodies in Europe. Draft conclusions (the final version will be available shortly) Special file
		New Council of Europe convention opened for signature 6 November 2003, Chisinau (Moldova) The European Convention for the Protection of Animals during International Transport (revised) (ETS No.193) has been opened for signature at the 113th session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, taking place in Moldova on 5 and 6 November. The following States have signed the convention: Belgium, Croatia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Moldova, Norway, Romania, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Sweden has also ratified the Convention ETS No.193, and has consequently denounced its ratification of the European Convention for the Protection of Animals during International Transport. (ETS No. 065) All about this new treaty (text, summary, explanatory report)
32nd meeting of the Steering Committee on local and regional democracy (CDLR) 3-5 November 2003, Strasbourg The Steering Committee will mainly examine two draft legal instruments on regional self-government, a revised version of the Handbook of good practice in the field of public ethics at local and regional level, a draft recommendation on the financial resources of local and regional authorities and a draft recommendation on processes of reform of boundaries and/or structure of local and regional authorities. Draft Agenda CDLR website			3rd meeting of the Working Party of the Project Group on Administrative Law (CJ- DA-GT) 3-5 November 2003, Strasbourg Topics on the agenda are the preparation of the preliminary draft Recommendation on the judicial control of administrative acts and the preliminary draft Explanatory memorandum to the Recommendation, and the preparation of proposals for activities aimed at strengthening the legal framework of good administration as an essential element of good governance. Draft Agenda "Administrative law and justice" website