Accession of regional economic integration organisations

In accordance with Article 38 of COTIF 1999, accession to the Convention is open to regional economic integration organisations that become members of OTIF.

COTIF Article 38 stipulates two main conditions for accession:

• such an organisation shall have competence to adopt its own legislation binding on its Member States, in respect of the matters covered by COTIF;
• one or more Member States of such organisation must be members of OTIF.

The detailed conditions of accession for regional economic integration organisations must be defined in an agreement concluded between OTIF and the regional organisation. The conditions of accession for a regional economic integration organisation have to be approved by the General Assembly. The accession of regional economic integration organisations takes legal effect in accordance with the agreement concluded with OTIF.