The Conference of Translation Services of European States (COTSOES) was established:
- To foster exchanges of information and experiences in areas of common interest
- To assist Member Services with translation, interpretation, terminology and language technology issues
- To promote cooperation among language professionals in the public service.
Member Services
35 services from 16 different countries are Members of COTSOES. The number of services from any country is not limited. Each service can send two representatives to the Assembly. Central government translation, terminology and/or interpretation services of States outside Europe and of intergovernmental organisations may attend the Assembly but are not entitled to vote.
The Rules of the Conference were established in 1982 in Bern. They have been revised recently and the updated Rules are available in the Members only “My COTSOES” area at the top of this page.
Assembly
The Assembly meets every two years in ordinary session. The Presidency is elected in the Assembly for a period of two years, and the outgoing Presidency assists the new Presidency to ensure continuity. The principal duties of the Presidency are:
- Drawing up the agenda for the Assembly
- Organising and directing the activities of the Assembly
- Circulating the decisions and recommendations adopted by the Assembly as well as the working groups’ reports
- Preparing an account of the activities of the Conference
The Translation Centre of the French Economy and Finance Ministry chairs the Conference between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2012.
Working languages
The working languages of the Conference are English, French and German. If the Presidency is unable to arrange interpretation at the Assembly, it can request assistance from Member Services. The working groups’ reports are prepared in all three languages.
Working Groups
At present, there are four active working groups:
- Human Resources
- Rules of Procedure
- Terminology and Documentation
- Use of New Technologies
Assembly in Paris in 2012
The 17th Assembly will be held at the French Economy and Finance Ministry in Paris on 18 and 19 October 2012.
The 16th Assembly was held in Bonn on 30 September and 1 October 2010 under the Presidency of the German Federal Office of Languages (Bundessprachenamt).
Last update: 5 March 2012