Government finalises wording of the draft Act on Treaties and Other International Instruments

Compared to the existing legislation, the draft act provides for more effective regulation of the procedure for concluding and implementing treaties. It also redefines ‘simple agreements’, which are international instruments concluded by authorised bodies for the purpose of implementing the treaties, as well as agreements that specify the obligations already assumed under the treaties in more detail. It also provides for more detailed regulation of non-binding international instruments, namely those that do not establish rights or obligations under international law.

Another important reason for adopting the new act is the developments in the modern international environment. The increasing interconnectedness and interdependence means that more and more entities, such as regions, lands and provinces, are entering into mutual relations alongside traditional subjects of international law, such as states and international organisations. The growing intensity of international relations is reflected in the need for states to streamline the process of concluding treaties, as well as in the increasing number of international instruments that are not treaties.