This Convention shall apply to the European territories of the Contracting States, to the French overseas departments and to the French overseas territories.

The Kingdom of the Netherlands may declare at the time of signing or ratifying this Convention or at any later time, by notifying the Secretary-General of the Council of the European Communities, that this Convention shall be applicable to Surinam and the Netherlands Antilles. In the absence of such declaration with respect to the Netherlands Antilles, proceedings taking place in the European territory of the Kingdom as a result of an appeal in cassation from the judgment of a court in the Netherlands Antilles shall be deemed to be proceedings taking place in the latter court.