1. Faculty of Economics And Administrative Sciences
Cag University
Faculty of Law and
Faculty of Economics And Administrative Sciences

2. International Law I IV Instructor: Ast. Prof. Sami Doğru
Sources of International Law & International Agreements (Cont’d)
Instructor: Ast. Prof. Sami Doğru
Law Among Nations: An Introduction To Public International Law, Von Glahn, G., & Taulbee, J.L. (2010). (9th ed.). New York: Pearson.

3. Treaties: Formation Four Stages of Formation Negotiation
Provisional acceptance – normally via signature
Final acceptance – normally through ratification
Official entry into force & registration

4. Treaties: Formation
1. Negotiation The most important factor here is authorization. Individuals who are involved in the negotiation process must have “official authority” to do so. “Representatives negotiating a treaty must be duly authorized to carry out their tasks and normally are required to have credentials to that effect.” (pg. 70)

5. Treaties: Formation
1. Negotiation (cont’d) Next, the parties have to give their consent. How this is done varies, depending on the type of treaty. For example, some treaties call for unanimous consent while other treaties call for adherence to specified voting rules.

6. Treaties: Formation
1. Negotiation (cont’d) Also included are usually stipulations about the acceptance of various versions in regards to language. After the final text of the treaty has been agreed upon, the next step will be authentication via initialing, signatures, or incorporation into a resolution, etc.). Authentication confirms “that the text of the treaty is in its final form.” (pg. 71)

7. Treaties: Formation
2. Signature Only persons with the proper authority may sign treaties. Examples: - Heads of states, - Foreign ministers, and - Other representatives who have been granted such power.

8. Treaties: Formation
Ratification “International law does not specify how a state carries out the ratification process. Virtually every state has developed detailed domestic regulations spelling out the process of treaty ratification.” Because of this, we’ll discuss Turkey’s regulations and how it functions in this area.

9. Treaties: Formation
Ratification (cont’d) For now, just know that ratification is required before most treaties can become binding.

10. Treaties: Formation Official Entry into Force & Registration
Entry into force is another way of saying that the treaty is now activated.
“Typically, the provisions of the treaty determine the date on which the treaty enters into force.
Where the treaty does not specify a date, there is a presumption that the treaty is intended to come into force as soon as all the negotiating states have consented to be bound by the treaty.”
UN Treaty Collection (

11. Treaties: Formation
Official Entry into Force & Registration “Typically, the provisions of the treaty determine the date on which the treaty enters into force.

12. Treaties: Formation
Official Entry into Force & Registration Article 102 of the UN Charter requires the registration of int’l treaties/agreements: 1. “Every treaty and every international agreement entered into by any Member of the United Nations shall as soon as possible be registered with the Secretariat and published by it.” 2. “No party to any such treaty or int’l agreement which has not been registered . … may invoke that treaty or agreement . . .” (pg. 78)

13. Treaties: Formation
Official Entry into Force & Registration In other words, treaties must be registered with the UN Secretariat.

14. Treaties: Terminology
Before moving on, let’s look at some important terminology. - Understandings - Reservations - Accession - Succession - Self-executing Treaties - Non-self-executing Treaties

15. Treaties: Terminology
Understandings “An understanding is an attempt by a state to specify in advance its own interpretation of certain parts of an agreement.”

16. Treaties: Terminology
Understandings (cont’d) For example, if France is about to provide its ratification of an agreement, it may wish to provide its views in regards to certain parts of the agreement. Statements of understanding will help France to do this.

17. Treaties: Terminology
Understandings (cont’d) Note that “these statements will have no binding force. Understandings simply reflect the views of one state.” (pg. 72) Nevertheless, they may prove useful in the event of a dispute.

18. Treaties: Terminology
Reservations What if a state likes a treaty for its overall benefits, but doesn’t like 1 or 2 parts of it?

19. Treaties: Terminology
Reservations (cont’d) “A reservation is a statement by which a state indicates its non-acceptance or interpretation of an article in a multilateral treaty.” (pg. 72)

20. Treaties: Terminology
Reservations (cont’d) Note that a reservation is not the same as an understanding. “A reservation is a statement of amendment inserted into a treaty by one party as a specified condition of ratification. It is an attempt either to opt out (exempt itself) or to modify certain ‘unacceptable’ conditions.” (pg. 72)

21. Treaties: Terminology
Reservations (cont’d) For example, let’s say that Germany would like to become a party to a multilateral treaty that contains 5 sections of terms. Germany agrees with every section except section # 3.

22. Treaties: Terminology
Reservations (cont’d) Instead of backing out of the entire treaty, Germany may provide a statement of reservation that expresses its objection to (or wishes for modification of) section # 3. It is only Germany’s position that is being voiced and other states may or may not accept this reservation.

23. Treaties: Terminology
Reservations (cont’d) A reservation is different from an understanding. Because; - it is not simply a reflection of views; - it is more than that – it is an attempt to opt out or change a condition that is unfavorable.

24. Treaties: Terminology
Reservations (cont’d) A Bit of History Before WWII, there were 2 approaches to reservations: - The first approach was an “all-or-nothing” approach: A state with reservations could not be a part of a treaty if all the other states did not accept the reservations.

25. Treaties: Terminology
Reservations (cont’d) A Bit of History Before WWII, there were 2 approaches to reservations: - The first approach was an “all-or-nothing” approach (cont’d): So in the example of Germany, it would be excluded from being part of the treaty if all the other parties did not accept Germany’s reservations to section #3.

26. Treaties: Terminology
Reservations (cont’d) A Bit of History Before WWII, there were 2 approaches to reservations: - The second approach was a bit more flexible and under certain conditions, allowed a state with reservations to still participate in a treaty. In our example, Germany would have a little more luck in the second approach.

27. Treaties: Terminology
Reservations (cont’d) A Bit of History After WWII, the focus began to shift a little. There was a growing desire for treaties to be as inclusive as possible. And yet, there was also a growing concern about how this would affect the integrity and effectiveness of those treaties and the goals they were meant to accomplish.

28. Treaties: Terminology
Reservations (cont’d) So where are we today in the area of reservations? The environment is still aimed towards flexibility, in general. However, the trend may lean back towards a more restrictive view – especially regarding more complicated treaties.

29. Treaties: Terminology
Accession Accession is “the formal act of acceptance by a state that had not originally signed or ratified a treaty.” (pg. 74) Usually, accession applies only to general multilateral agreements. (pg. 74) Also note that accession “has the same legal effect as ratification.” UN Treaty Collection (

30. Treaties: Terminology
Accession (cont’d) Sometimes, permission from the original parties is required before the new state (the one that did not originally sign) can join in the treaty. Also remember that states may make reservations upon accession, if those states are permitted (or allowed) to do so. (pg. 74)

31. Treaties: Terminology
Succession What if there is a state that was once a part of another state and are now independent?

32. Treaties: Terminology
Succession (cont’d) Succession occurs when a “newly independent state, formerly part of another entity joins a multipartite agreement to which its former governing authority had been a party.” (pg. 74)

33. Treaties: Terminology
Succession (cont’d) For example, a British colony that is now independent may wish to join an agreement that the UK had been a party to.

34. Treaties: Terminology
Self-executing & Non-self-executing Treaties Self-executing treaties come into force as soon as the state becomes a party to it. Non-self-executing treaties require implementing legislation before they come into effect domestically. Implementing legislation refers to a change in domestic law that will enable the state to fulfill its treaty obligations.

35. Question
5. What is the relationship between the primary sources of international law?
a) There is no hierarchy between the primary sources of international law
b) Treaties supersede custom
c) Custom supersedes treaties
d) General Principles of Law supersede both custom and treaties