Para diplomacy is a concept that allows regional governments to have a role in international relations by opening offices and managing trade missions abroad.
The main fields of their external actions are: economic development, education, environment, culture, migration, human rights, environment…
Relevant Constitution Article
Article 117 : Transfer of sovereign powers and Article 18 : Sovereignty
- Power currently granted to Governor (mouhafez) and/or District Manager (Caimacam) shall be integrally transferred to the Municipal Council.
- Each Canton shall open, organize, control and manage all the specific Registers (land and real estate, commerce …). The Federal authorities shall hold a consolidated mirror of the four (4) registers of each nature for statistics and conflicts purposes. More specifically, each Canton shall have one (1) Commercial Register.
- The Federation enjoys no sovereign powers to enable it to transfer to international organizations.
- Insofar as the Cantons are competent to exercise Cantonal powers and to perform Cantonal functions, they may, without the consent of the Federal Government, transfer sovereign powers to trans-frontier institutions.
- With a view to maintaining peace, the Federation shall ensure total neutrality of Lebanon. This includes becoming a non-voting observer member in all international organizations including the Arab League, the UN, and other multi-lateral organizations.
- The settlement of disputes between Cantons shall be done through international arbitration.
- Cantonal sovereignty is the ultimate source of sovereignty. The Federal Government has no sovereignty rights over the Cantons or the municipalities.
- Sovereignty is derived from the collective will expressed by Cantonal Citizens.