The laws ratify the Additional Protocol and Protocol No.2 to the European Framework Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation between Local and Regional Bodies.
The additional protocol recognises the right of local and regional authorities and the state authorities of the parties to the convention to conclude agreements on cooperation in accordance with national legislation and in compliance with international obligations, and to found organisations for cross-border cooperation. The protocol regulates the legal status of such bodies.
Protocol No.2 extends the provisions of the convention and the additional protocol to cooperation between administrative and territorial units of parties that do not share a common border. This will make it possible to bring all of Russia’s regions under the scope of the convention’s provisions. Previously, the convention applied only to regions adjoining the national borders.