Article 16 - Signature

1 This Convention shall be open for signature by the member States of the Council of Europe, the States Parties to the European Cultural Convention and any non-member State of the Council of Europe having acceded to the European Convention on Spectator Violence and Misbehaviour at Sports Events and in particular at Football Matches (ETS No. 120), opened for signature in Strasbourg on 19 August 1985, prior to the date of opening for signature of this Convention.

2 This Convention is subject to ratification, acceptance or approval. Instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

3 No State Party to Convention No. 120 may deposit its instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval unless it has already denounced the said convention or denounces it simultaneously.

4 When depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval in accordance with the preceding paragraph, a Contracting State may declare that it will continue to apply Convention No. 120 until the entry into force of this Convention according to the provisions of Article 17.1.