In the areas of competence of the department, the departmental councils of the overseas departments may, by deliberation, request the authorities of the Republic to authorise their president to negotiate, in compliance with the international commitments of the Republic, agreements with one or more States, territories or regional bodies defined in article L. 3441-3.
When this authorisation is granted, the authorities of the Republic are, at their request, represented at the negotiations.
At the end of the negotiations, the draft agreement is submitted to the deliberation of the departmental council for acceptance. The authorities of the Republic may then, subject to compliance with its international commitments, give power to the President of the Departmental Council for the purpose of signing the agreement.