French General Code of Local Authorities
In forceA territorial authority or grouping of territorial authorities may not enter into an agreement with a foreign State, except in the cases provided for by law or where the agreement is intended to enable the creation of a European grouping of territorial cooperation, a Euroregional grouping of cooperation or a local grouping of cross-border cooperation. In the latter case, the signing of the agreement must be authorised in advance by the State representative in the region.
The prohibition mentioned in the first paragraph does not apply to agreements concluded for the purposes of territorial or regional cooperation and whose signature has been authorised in advance by the State representative when they fall within one of the following cases:
1° The agreement implements a previous international agreement approved by the State;
2° The purpose of the agreement is to implement a regional cooperation programme drawn up under the aegis of an international organisation and approved by France in its capacity as a member or associate member of the said organisation;
3° The agreement sets up a cross-border, regional or inter-territorial cooperation grouping other than those mentioned in the first paragraph, regardless of its name. Membership of this grouping is subject to the prior authorisation of the State representative.
