CELEX: 51985PC0121
Language: en
Date: 1985-03-19 00:00:00
Title: RECOMMENDATION FOR A COUNCIL DECISION authorizing the Commission to participate on behalf of the Community in the United Nations Conference on the law of Treaties between States and international Organizations or between International Organizations, and in the consultations prior to the Conference (submitted to the Council by the Commission)

ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES
DE LA COMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEE DES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM (85) 121
Vol. 1985/0039
 ---pagebreak--- Disclaimer
Conformément au règlement (CEE, Euratom) n° 354/83 du Conseil du 1er février 1983
concernant l'ouverture au public des archives historiques de la Communauté économique
européenne et de la Communauté européenne de l'énergie atomique (JO L 43 du 15.2.1983,
p. 1), tel que modifié par le règlement (CE, Euratom) n° 1700/2003 du 22 septembre 2003
(JO L 243 du 27.9.2003, p. 1), ce dossier est ouvert au public. Le cas échéant, les documents
classifiés présents dans ce dossier ont été déclassifiés conformément à l'article 5 dudit
règlement.
In accordance with Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 of 1 February 1983
concerning the opening to the public of the historical archives of the European Economic
Community and the European Atomic Energy Community (OJ L 43, 15.2.1983, p. 1), as
amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1700/2003 of 22 September 2003 (OJ L 243,
27.9.2003, p. 1), this file is open to the public. Where necessary, classified documents in this
file have been declassified in conformity with Article 5 of the aforementioned regulation.
In Übereinstimmung mit der Verordnung (EWG, Euratom) Nr. 354/83 des Rates vom 1.
Februar 1983 über die Freigabe der historischen Archive der Europäischen
Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft und der Europäischen Atomgemeinschaft (ABI. L 43 vom 15.2.1983,
S. 1), geändert durch die Verordnung (EG, Euratom) Nr. 1700/2003 vom 22. September 2003
(ABI. L 243 vom 27.9.2003, S. 1), ist diese Datei der Öffentlichkeit zugänglich. Soweit
erforderlich, wurden die Verschlusssachen in dieser Datei in Übereinstimmung mit Artikel 5
der genannten Verordnung freigegeben.
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                                       C O M (8 5 ) 121 f i n a l
         COMMISSION                                                                                   Brussels, 1 9 M a r c h 1 9 8 5
           OF THE
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES                                                                                  FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
       General Secretariat
                                       R E C O M M E N D A T I O N FO R A C O U N C I L D E C I S I O N
                       a u t h o r i z i n g t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o p a r t i c i p a t e o n b e h a l f of t h e
                       C o m m u n i t y in t h e U n i t e d N a t i o n s C o n f e r e n c e o n t h e la w of
                       T r e a t i e s b e t w e e n S t a t e s a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l O r g a n i z a t i o n s or
                       b e t w e e n I n t e r n a t i o n a l O r g a n i z a t i o n s , a n d in t h e c o n s u l t a t i o n s
                       p r i o r to t h e C o n f e r e n c e
                                 ( s u b m i t t e d to t h e C o u n c i l b y t h e C o m m i s s i o n )
C O M (85) 121 f i n a l
 ---pagebreak---                                                  EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
I.      The i s sue
                                                                                       i
1.      R e s o l u t i o n 3 9 / 8 6 of the UN G e n e r a l A s s e m b l y             s t a t e s that " the U n i t e d
N a t i o n s C o n f e r e n c e on the Law of T r e a t i e s b e t w e e n S t a t e s and I n t e r n a t i o n a l
O r g a n i z a t i o n s or b e t w e e n I n t e r n a t i o n a l O r g a n i z a t i o n s s h all be h e l d f r o m
18 F e b r u a r y to 21 M a r c h 1 9 8 6 at V i e n n a " .
The C o n f e r e n c e w i l l be b a s e d on a d r a f t C o n v e n t i o n p r e p a r e d by the
I n t e r n a t i o n a l Law C o m m i s s i o n ;        in R e s o l u t i o n 3 9 / 8 6 t h e G e n e r a l A s s e m b l y
" r e f e r / r e d / to the C o n f e r e n c e , as the b a s i c p r o p o s a l for its c o n s i d e r a t i o n ,
the d r a f t a r t i c l e s o n the law of t r e a t i e s b e t w e e n S t a t e s and i n t e r n a t i o n a l
o r g a n i z a t i o n s or b e t w e e n i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s a d o p t e d by the
I n t e r n a t i o n a l L a w C o m m i s s i o n at its t h i r t y - f o u r t h s e s s i o n " in 1982.
A m o n g t h o s e i n v i t e d to p a r t i c i p a t e in the C o n f e r e n c e , in a d d i t i o n to
s t a t e s , are:         " r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of i n t e r n a t i o n a l i n t e r g o v e r n m e n t a l
o r g a n i z a t i o n s t h a t h a v e t r a d i t i o n a l l y b e e n i n v i t e d to p a r t i c i p a t e as
o b s e r v e r s at legal c o d i f i c a t i o n c o n f e r e n c e s c o n v e n e d u n d e r the a u s p i c e s
of t h e U n i t e d N a t i o n s " .
The E u r o p e a n E c o n o m i c C o m m u n i t y is such an o r g a n i z a t i o n , and has d u l y
b e e n sent an i n v i t a t i o n to p a r t i c i p a t e , in the f o r m of a lette r f rom
t h e UN S e c r e t a r y - G e n e r a l d a t e d 5 F e b r u a r y 1985.
2.      R e s o l u t i o n 3 9 / 8 6 a p p e a l e d to p a r t i c i p a n t s in the C o n f e r e n c e "to
o r g a n i z e c o n s u l t a t i o n s p r i m a r i l y on the o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d m e t h o d s of work
of the C o n f e r e n c e , i n c l u d i n g rul e s of p r o c e d u r e , a n d on m a j o r i s s u e s of
1
  A n n e x I.
 ---pagebreak---                                                               - 2 -
s u b s t a n c e i n c l u d i n g f i n a l c l a u s e s a n d s e t t l e m e n t of d i s p u t e s , p r i o r to
t h e c o n v e n i n g of t h e C o n f é r e n c e in o r d e r to f a c i l i t a t e a s u c c e s s f u l
c o n c l u s i o n of its w o r k t h r o u g h th e p r o m o t i o n of g e n e r a l a g r e e m e n t " .
The c o n s u l t a t i o n s a r e a l s o to a d d r e s s th e s t a t u s of t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l
o r g a n i z a t i o n s i n v i t e d to p a r t i c i p a t e in t h e C o n f é r e n c e .       The decision
w i l l be t a k e n by t h e G e n e r a l A s s e m b l y at its n e x t s e s s i o n , t his
autumn.
3.      T h e c o n s u l t a t i o n s c a l l e d for by R e s o l u t i o n 3 9 / 8 6 s t a r t e d w i t h an
o r g a n i z a t i o n a l s e s s i o n on 28 F e b r u a r y .       A f i r s t r o u n d of c o n s u l t a t i o n s
w i l l t a k e p l a c e f r o m 18 M a r c h to 10 M a y , f o l l o w e d by f u r t h e r w o r k and
t h e n a s e c o n d t w o - w e e k r o u n d of d e t a i l e d c o n s u l t a t i o n s on ail i s s u e s in
July.         S u b j e c t s d i s c u s s e d d u r i n g t h e c o n s u l t a t i o n s w i l l i n c l u d e th e
o r g a n i z a t i o n of t h e C o n f é r e n c e , m e t h o d s of w o r k , p a r t i c i p a t i o n , final
c l a u s e s ( i n c l u d i n g t h e right to b e c o m e a c o n t r a c t i n g p a r t y ) and
dispute settlement.
As is c l e a r f r o m a w o r k i n g p a p e r d a t e d 20 F e b r u a r y , p r e p a r e d by the legal
a d v i s e r s of t h e Te n a n d t h e C o m m i s s i o n in N e w Y ork ( A n n e x II), the most
u r g e n t q u e s t i o n is to d é t e r m i n e t h e r i g h t s t o be e n j o y e d by i n t e r n a t i o n a l
o r g a n i z a t i o n s i n v i t e d to p a r t i c i p a t e in t h e C o n f é r e n c e u n d e r
Resol ution 39/86.
In t h e ligh t of t h e f o r e g o i n g , it is e s s e n t i a l to a p p r o v e the C o m m u n i t y ' s
p a r t i c i p a t i o n in t h e c o n s u l t a t i o n s a n d t h e C o n f é r e n c e a n d d é c i d é on th e
p o s i t i o n to be a d o p t e d by the C o m m u n i t y a n d its M e m b e r S t a t e s .
 ---pagebreak---                                                             - 3 -
4.      In a c c o r d a n c e w i t h th e legal a d v i s e r s ' s u g g e s t i o n , t h i s r e c o m m e n d a t i o n
c o n c e n t r â t e s on t h e i s s u e of th e s t a t u s of i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s
i n v i t e d to p a r t i c i p a t e in th e C o n f é r e n c e u n d e r R e s o l u t i o n 39/ 8 6 .
Th e C o m m i s s i o n w i l t be s u b m i t t i n g a s e p a r a t e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n later on the
d r a f t a r t i c l e s p r e p a r e d by the I n t e r n a t i o n a l La w C o m m i s s i o n , w i t h p a r t i c u l a r
r e f e r e n c e to the f i n a l c l a u s e s an d d i s p u t e s e t t l e m e n t .
I I . P o s i t i o n to d a t e
5.       t h e C o m m u n i t y a n d its M e m b e r S t a t e s h â v e t a k e n part in ail the
p r e p a r a t o r y w o r k , an d h â v e sent th e UN S e c r e t a r y - G e n e r a l t h e i r c o m m e n t s on
th e I L C's d r a f t a r t i c l e s .        B oth the C o m m u n i t y an d the M e m b e r S t a t e s hâve
a l s o m a d e v a r i o u s s t a t e m e n t s to the G e n e r a l A s s e m b l y ' s S i x t h C o m m i t t e e .
 In its c o m m e n t s , w h i c h d a t e f r o m 1983, t h e C o m m u n i t y m a d e the f o l l o w i n g
p o i n t s r e g a r d i n g th e p a r t i c i p a t i o n of i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s in the
Conférence:
" T h e o r e t i c a l ly, s e v e r a l s o l u t i o n s are c o n c e i v a b l e , r a n g i n g f r o m a m e r e
o b s e r v e r ' s s t a t u s for i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s to a r ôle of full
p a r t i c i p a t i o n on a pa r w i t h Stat e s .           An i n t e r m e d i a t e s o l u t i o n c o uld
 c o n s i s t in th e a d m i t t a n c e of i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s to an a c t i v e
p a r t i c i p a t i o n in t h e n e g o t i a t i o n p r o c e d u r e .    T his w o u l d c o r r e s p o n d to
the r ôle that i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s h â v e b e e n a b l e to p l a y in the
é l a b o r a t i o n of t h e p r é s e n t d r a f t a r t i c l e s " .
 ---pagebreak---                                                            - 4 -
As th e Legal a d v i s e r s p o i n t o u t , h o w e v e r , it ha s p r o v e d i m p o s s i b l e to
a g r é é o n t h e p r é c i s é s c o p e of the t e r m " a c t i v e p a r t i c i p a t i o n " .         In 1 983
an d 1 9 8 4 M e m b e r S t a t e s c a l l e d for p a r t i c i p a t i o n by i n t e r n a t i o n a l
o r g a n i z a t i o n s "o n an a p p r o p r i a t e b a s i s , w h i c h w o u l d p e r m i t t h e m to
c o n t r i b u t e e f f e c t i v e l y to the c o d i f i c a t i o n w o r k of the C o n f é r e n c e " .
W i t h c o n s u l t a t i o n s i m m i n e n t in N e w Y o r k , it is t h u s i m p o r t a n t to w o r k
ou t t h e C o m m u n i t y ' s p o s i t i o n in d e t a i l .
III.        S o m e p o i n t s of p r i n c i p l e
6.       First a b r i e f r e c a p of s o m e g e n e r a l c o n s i d é r a t i o n s r e g a r d i n g the s c o p e
of t h e p l a n n e d C o n v e n t i o n as it a f f e c t s i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s .
7.      T h e a i m of t h e C o n v e n t i o n is to c o d i f y the law of t r e a t i e s c o n c l u d e d
by i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s e i t h e r w i t h S t a t e s or w i t h o t h e r i n t e r n a t i o n a l
organizations.                 It w i l l t h e r e f o r e h â v e to be b i n d i n g o n i n t e r n a t i o n a l
organizations.
S u b j e c t to r u l e s of c u s t o m a r y law, t h e p r o v i s i o n s of t h e C o n v e n t i o n w o u l d
n o r m a l l y o n l y be b i n d i n g on i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s w i t h t h e i r c o n s e n t .
It is t h e r e f o r e e s s e n t i a l to a l l o w t h o s e o r g a n i z a t i o n s to b e c o m e c o n t r a c t i n g
p a r t i e s to t h e C o n v e n t i o n .
This a p p l i e s to t h e C o m m u n i t y in p a r t i c u l a r .           C l e a r l y , it c a n n o t b i n d
i t s e l f i n t e r n a t i o n a l ly e x c e p t by its o w n a ct, in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h th e p r o c e d u r e
d e s c r i b e d in A r t i c l e 228 ( 1 ) of t h e EEC T r e a t y .
 ---pagebreak---                                           - 5 -
 8.      From the C o m m u n i t y ' s p o int of v i e w t h e r e is a n o t h e r c o n s i d é r a t i o n .
The n e g o t i a t i o n of a C o n v e n t i o n c o d i f y i n g an d d e v e l o p i n g i n t e r n a t i o n a l
law on t r e a t i e s to w h i c h i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s ar e p a r t i e s is
b o u n d to a f f e c t the e x t e r n a l e x e r c i s e of such o r g a n i z a t i o n s ' p o w e r s
e v e n b e f o r e it cornes into f o r c e and is ( p r e s u m a b l y ) c o n c l u d e d by
the C o m m u n i t y .        The n e w C o n v e n t i o n will u n d o u b t e d l y s e r v e as a b a s i s
for ail s u b s é q u e n t a n a l y s i s of the law of t r e a t i e s , s i n c e t h i s is
an a r e a of i n t e r n a t i o n a l law w h i c h has h i t h e r t o b e e n n e i t h e r f irm
no r p r é c i s é ; f a i l i n g a s p é c i f i e text g o v e r n i n g i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s ,
the C o m m u n i t y has a l w a y s ha d to ref e r to the 23 Ma y 1 9 6 9
V i e n n a C o n v e n t i o n on the La w of T r e a t i e s ( b e t w e e n         States).      This
w i l l no l o nge r be the case o n c e the n e w C o n v e n t i o n has b e e n n e g o t i a t e d .
A c c o r d i n g l y , the n e g o t i a t i o n of the C o n v e n t i o n w i l l a f f e c t the
Community's treaty-making powers.                            The b a s i c p r i n c i p l e s of the
C o m m u n i t y legal S y s t e m d i c t a t e that the C o m m u n i t y s h o u l d be i n v o l v e d
 in th e n e g o t i a t i o n s w h e t h e r it e v e n t u a l l y d é c i d é s to r a t i f y the
C o n v e n t i o n or not.
9.       By the s a m e t o k e n , the C o m m u n i t y as such m ust p a r t i c i p a t e
 in the c o n s u l t a t i o n s in N e w Y o rk, w h i c h will in any c ase be d e a l i n g
with s u b s t a n t i v e         i s s u e s as w ell as p r o c é d u r a l q u e s t i o n s .    Resolution 39/86
e x p r e s s l y c a l l s for the c o n s u l t a t i o n s to t a c k l e " m a j o r issue s
of s u b s t a n c e i n c l u d i n g f i nal c l a u s e s and s e t t l e m e n t of d i s p u t e s ...
 in o r d e r to f a c i l i t a t e a s u c c e s s f u l c o n c l u s i o n of /the C o n f é r e n c e 1 s/
w o r k t h r o u g h the p r o m o t i o n of a g e n e r a l a g r e e m e n t " (see para. 1).
 (Note a l s o the t i m e t a b l e a n d a g e n d a d r a w n up in N e w Y o r k for
 c o n s u l t a t i o n s o v e r the c o m i n g m o n t h s ; see p a ra. 3.).
 ---pagebreak---                                                    - 6 -
10.       R é s o l u t i o n 3 9 / 8 6 c a l l s on " t h e p a r t i c i p a n t s " to t a k e p a r t in
th e c o n s u l t a t i o n s .      If i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s are i n v i t e d to
p a r t i c i p a t e in the C o n f é r e n c e , t h e y s h o u l d p a r t i c i p a t e in the c o n s u l t a t i o n s
as well.
The m e e t i n g d e a l i n g            w i t h o r g a n i z a t i o n of th e c o n s u l t a t i o n p r o c e s s
l o o k e d for i n s p i r a t i o n to t h e i n f o r m a i c o n s u l t a t i o n s w h i c h t o o k p l a c e
in 1984, a n d f o r e s a w s e p a r a t e c o n s u l t a t i o n s for S t a t e s a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l
organizations.                   The t o p i c s b e i n g d e a l t w i t h in th e p r é s e n t c o n s u l t a t i o n s ,
h o w e v e r , c o n c e r n b o t h S t a t e s a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s , as do
t h o s e to be d i s c u s s e d by the C o n f é r e n c e , so it is in th e C o m m u n i t y ' s
o w n i n t e r e s t to se e t hat it is g e n u i n e l y i n v o l v e d in the c o n s u l t a t i o n s
as well.             In t h i s wa y b o t h th e C o m m u n i t y a n d its M e m b e r S t a t e s will
be in a p o s i t i o n to S t a t e t h e i r v i e w s .
IV.        P a r t i c i p a t i o n in t h e C o n f é r e n c e
11.        D u r i n g the c o n s u l t a t i o n s it w ill be n e c e s s a r y to d é c i d é in w hat
c a p a c i t y the i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s i n v i t e d to the C o n f é r e n c e w ill
p a r t i c i p a t e , g i v e n t h a t , as e x p l a i n e d in p a r a g r a p h 8, i n t e r n a t i o n a l
o r g a n i z a t i o n s w o u l d h â v e to c o n c l u d e the C o n v e n t i o n for it to be b i n d i n g
on them.              For the C o m m u n i t y t h e r e is the a d d i t i o n a l c o n s i d é r a t i o n of the
e f f e c t e v e n of an u n r a t i f i e d a c c o r d (see p a r a . 8).
 For i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s 1 p a r t i c i p a t i o n in the C o n v e n t i o n to
be e f f e c t i v e , t h e i r s t a t u s ( s e t t i n g a s i d e v o t i n g r i g h t s , w h i c h the
C o m m u n i t y a n d th e Te n are not c l a i m i n g ) s h o u l d be th e s ame as that of
States.
 ---pagebreak---                                                             -   7 -
  12.              The legal a d v i s e r s a l s o r a ise the q u e s t i o n of w hat p o s i t i o n
s h o u l d be t a k e n on the s p o n s o r s h i p rule, w h e r e b y p r o p o s a i s a n d a m e n d m e n t s
f r o m an i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n h â v e to be " s p o n s o r e d " by o n e or
m o r e of the S t a t e s p a r t i c i p a t i n g in th e C o n f é r e n c e .
The C o m m u n i t y s h o u l d o p p o s e th e a t t e m p t to a p p l y the s p o n s o r s h i p
rules , w h i c h i n v o l v e s a m e a s u r e of s u b o r d i n a t i o n i n c o m p a t i b l e w ith
the full e x e r c i s e of its legal p o w e r s .                          It is no s u r p r i s e that the
s p o n s o r s h i p rule         was p r o p o s e d by a ( n o n - m e m b e r ) c o u n t r y w h i c h is
h o s t i l e on p r i n c i p l e to any act c o n s t i t u t i n g an e x p r e s s i o n of an
 i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n 's a u t o n o m y , an d has had s u b o r d i n a t i o n c l a u s e s
 i n c o r p o r a t e d in o t h e r      ' i n t e r n a t i o n a l a c c o r d s Ce.g. the o z o n e layer c o n v e n t i o n ) .
13.        If it p r o v e s i m p o s s i b l e to s e c u r e t r e a t m e n t e q u a l to that of
S t a t e s , t h e r e must be a p o s i t i v e List e n u m e r a t i n g th e C o m m u n i t y ' s
 r i g h t s in the n e g o t i a t i o n s for th e C o n v e n t i o n .
 In that e v e n t it w o u l d c e r t a i n l y be b e t t e r f r o m the t a c t i c a l s t a n d p o i n t
 to h â v e the r i g h t s of i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s d e f i n e d w i t h o u t r e f e r e n c e
to o b s e r v e r s t a t u s , w h i c h is what th e c o u n t r y c a l l i n g for a p p l i c a t i o n of
 the s p o n s o r s h i p rule has p r o p o s e d for t h o s e o r g a n i z a t i o n s .
 At the v e r y least, i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s s h o u l d be a c c o r d e d the
 r i ght i n d e p e n d e n t l y :
   (i)          to s u b m i t p r o p o s a i s and put f o r w a r d a m e n d m e n t s ;
 (ii)             to m a k e s t a t e m e n t s ;
(iii)           to p a r t i c i p a t e in the d e c i s i o n - m a k i n g p r o c e s s in c o n n e c t i o n
                 w i t h the n e g o t i a t i o n and a p p r o v a l of texts.
 ---pagebreak---                                                    - 8 -
V.        Final c l a u s e s a n d s e t t l e m e n t of d i s p u t e s
14.         The N e w Y o r k c o n s u l t a t i o n s w i l l be d e a l i n g p r i m a r i l y w i t h the s t a t u s
of the i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s i n v i t e d to t h e C o n f é r e n c e , but w ill
a l s o a d d r e s s o t h e r q u e s t i o n s m e n t i o n e d in R e s o l u t i o n 3 9 / 8 6 , viz. " m a j o r
i s s u e s of s u b s t a n c e i n c l u d i n g f i n a l c l a u s e s a n d s e t t l e m e n t of d i s p u t e s " .
As p o i n t e d o u t m p a r a . 5, t h e C o m m u n i t y a n d its M e m b e r S t a t e s h â v e
a l r e a d y b e e n i n v o l v e d in m o s t of th e p r e p a r a t o r y w o r k d o n e on t h e s e i s s u e s
by th e I n t e r n a t i o n a l L a w C o m m i t t e e a n d the S i x t h C o m m i t t e e .                 These points,
t h e r e f o r e , a n d in p a r t i c u l a r t h e I L C ' s d r a f t a r t i c l e s , can t h e r e f o r e
be r e f e r r e d to t h e C o u n c i l by t h e C o m m i s s i o n for d i s c u s s i o n at a l a ter stage.
VI.       Conclusion
15.       I n i t i a l l y , t h e r e f o r e , the C o m m i s s i o n r e c o m m e n d s t hat the C o u n c i l
d é c i d é that:
       (i)         The E u r o p e a n C o m m u n i t y s h o u l d p a r t i c i p a t e in th e U n i t e d N a t i o n s
                   C o n f é r e n c e o n t h e L a w of T r e a t i e s b e t w e e n S t a t e s a n d I n t e r n a t i o n a l
                   O r g a n i z a t i o n s or b e t w e e n I n t e r n a t i o n a l O r g a n i z a t i o n s .
     (ii)          Th e E u r o p e a n C o m m u n i t y s h o u l d p a r t i c i p a t e in th e c o n s u l t a t i o n s
                   to be h e l d p r i o r to a n d in p r é p a r a t i o n for th e s a i d C o n f é r e n c e .
   (iii)           At th e s a i d c o n s u l t a t i o n s t h e M e m b e r S t a t e s a n d t h e C o m m u n i t y s h o u l d
                   e n d e a v o u r to e n s u r e t hat i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s i n v i t e d
 ---pagebreak---                                           - 9 -
to the C o n f é r e n c e :
e i t h e r h â v e the s ame r i g h t s (e xce pt v o t i n g righ t s ) as S t a t e s
or, f a i l i n g t h at, h â v e t h e right i n d e p e n d e n t L y to:
      s u b m i t p r o p o s a i s a n d put f o r w a r d a m e n d m e n t s ,
-     make statements,
       t ake p art in the d e c i s i o n - m a k i n g p r o c e s s in c o n n e c t i o n w i t h
       the n e g o t i a t i o n and a p p r o v a l of texts .
 ---pagebreak--- R e c o m m e n d a t i o n for a           C o u n c i l D e c i s i o n a u t h o r i z i n g the C o m m i s s i o n to p a r t i c i p a t e
             on b e h a l f of th e C o m m u n i t y in th e U n i t e d N a t i o n s C o n f é r e n c e o n th e La w
             of T r e a t i e s b e t w e e n S t a t e s a n d I n t e r n a t i o n a l O r g a n i z a t i o n s or b e t w e e n
             I n t e r n a t i o n a l O r g a n i z a t i o n s , a n d in th e c o n s u l t a t i o n s p r i o r to the C o n f é r e n c e
            TH E C O U N C I L OF THE E U R O P E A N C O M M U N I T I E S ,
            H a v i n g r e g a r d to the T r e a t i e s e s t a b l i s h i n g th e E u r o p e a n C o m m u n i t i e s ,
            H a v i n g r e g a r d to the r e c o m m e n d a t i o n f r o m the C o m m i s s i o n ,
            W h e r e a s t h e C o m m u n i t y ha s b e e n i n v i t e d to p a r t i c i p a t e in the
            U n i t e d N a t i o n s C o n f é r e n c e o n th e L a w of T r e a t i e s b e t w e e n S t a t e s
            a n d I n t e r n a t i o n a l O r g a n i z a t i o n s or b e t w e e n I n t e r n a t i o n a l O r g a n i z a t i o n s ;
            W h e r e a s c o n s u l t a t i o n s ar e t a k i n g p l a c e in th e U n i t e d N a t i o n s in
            p r é p a r a t i o n for th e s a i d C o n f é r e n c e ,
            W h e r e a s th e p r o c é d u r a l a n d s u b s t a n t i v e           i s s u e s to be d i s c u s s e d at
            b o t h the c o n s u l t a t i o n s an d t h e C o n f é r e n c e w i l l d i r e c t l y a f f e c t the
            E u r o p e a n C o m m u n i t i e s ' e x e r c i s e of t h e i r i n t e r n a t i o n a l p o w e r s , a n d h â v e
            a b e a r i n g on the w h o l e r a n g e of t h e i r e x t e r n a l c o m p é t e n c e ;
            W h e r e a s the C o m m u n i t i e s s h o u l d t h e r e f o r e p a r t i c i p a t e in the c o n s u l t a t i o n s
            a n d the C o n f é r e n c e , w i t h a s t a t u s c o m m e n s u r a t e w i t h t h e i r r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s
            in the f i e l d of i n t e r n a t i o n a l r e l a t i o n s an d t h e i r r ôle in the
            d e v e l o p m e n t of i n t e r n a t i o n a l law,
            HAS D E C I D E D AS FOLL O W S :
                                                       Sole article
            1.      The C o m m i s s i o n s h a l l p a r t i c i p a t e in the U n i t e d N a t i o n s C o n f é r e n c e
           o n th e L a w of T r e a t i e s b e t w e e n S t a t e s a n d I n t e r n a t i o n a l O r g a n i z a t i o n s
           or b e t w e e n I n t e r n a t i o n a l O r g a n i z a t i o n s a n d in the c o n s u l t a t i o n s
           p r o v i d e d for by R e s o l u t i o n 3 9 / 8 6 of th e U n i t e d N a t i o n s G e n e r a l A s s e m b l y .
            2.      Th e C o m m i s s i o n s h a l l r e p r e s e n t th e v i e w s of the C o m m u n i t i e s in
            c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h r e p r é s e n t a t i v e s of the M e m b e r S t a t e s a n d in a c c o r d a n c e
            w i t h th e d i r e c t i v e s at a n n e x , w h i c h w i l l be s u p p l e m e n t e d in d u e c o u r s e .
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                                      Annex
                                     DIRECTIVES
At the c o n s u l t a t i o n s o r g a n i z e d by th e U n i t e d N a t i o n s in p r é p a r a t i o n
for the C o n f é r e n c e of th e L a w of T r e a t i e s b e t w e e n S t a t e s a n d I n t e r n a t i o n a l
O r g a n i z a t i o n s or b e t w e e n I n t e r n a t i o n a l O r g a n i z a t i o n s , the C o m m i s s i o n
s h all e n s u r e that for the p u r p o s e s of that C o n f é r e n c e , the C o m m u n i t i e s
e n j o y the s ame r i g h t s , o t h e r t h a n v c t i n g r i g h t s , as Stat e s .
F a i l i n g t h a t , th e C o m m i s s i o n s h all e n s u r e that the C o m m u n i t i e s are
a c c o r d e d the right i n d e p e n d e n t l y to s u bmi t p r o p o s a i s and a m e n d m e n t s ,
m a k e s t a t e m e n t s and p a r t i c i p a t e in the d e c i s i o n - m a k i n g p r o c e s s in
c o n n e c t i o n w i t h the n e g o t i a t i o n an d a p p r o v a l of texts .
 ---pagebreak--- NATIONS
UNIES
                                                                                      A
                 Assemblée générale                                   Distr.
                                                                      GENERALE
                                                                      A/RES/39/86
                                                                      18 janvier 1985
Trente-neuvième session
Point 131 de l'ordre du jour
                        RESOLUTION ADOPTEE PAR L'ASSEMBLEE GENERALE '
            (sur le rapport de la Sixième Commission (A/39/779 et Corr.Dl
    39/86.   Conférence des Nations Unies sur le droit des traités entre Etats et
              organisations internationales ou entre organisations internationales
      L'Assemblée générale,
      Rappelant sa résolution 37/112 du 16 décembre 1982, par laquelle elle a décidé
qu'une convention internationale serait conclue sur la base du projet d'articles
sur le droit des traités entre Etats et organisations internationales ou entre
organisations internationales que la Commission du droit international a adopte à
sa trente-quatrième session 1/,
      Rappelant également sa résolution 38/139 du 19 décembre 1983, par laquelle
elle a décidé que le cadre approprié pour l'examen définitif du projet d'articles
serait une conférence de plénipotentiaires qui devrait être convoquée en 1985 au
plus tôt, et est convenue de prendre une décision à sa trente-neuvième session au
sujet de la date et du lieu de la Conférence des Nations Unies sur le droit des
traités entre Etats et organisations internationales ou entre organisations
 internationales ainsi que de la participation à cette conférence,
      Ayant reçu le rapport du Secrétaire général 2/ qui contient les commentaires
et observations communiqués par les Etats et les principales organisations
intergouvemementales internationales, conformément à la résolution 38/139 de
l'Assemblée générale,
      Reconnaissant qu'il importe d'assurer le succès des travaux de la Conférence
en facilitant un accord général,
      1/ Documents officiels de l'Assemblée générale, trente-septième session,
Supplément No 10 (A/37/10), chap. II, sect. D.
85-01475   0394W    (F)
 ---pagebreak--- A/RES/39/86
Rage 2
—•V
       Ayant à l'esprit la relation entre le droit des traités entre Etats et la
question qui sera examinée par la Conférence,
       Notant avec satisfaction que le Gouvernement autrichien a proposé d'accueillir
la Conférence à Vienne,
       1.      Décide que la Conférence des Nations Unies sur le droit des traites entre
Etats et organisations internationales ou entre organisations internationales se
 tiendra à Vienne, du 18 février au 21 mars 1986;
        2.     Prie le Secrétaire général d'inviter i
       a)      Tous les Etats à participer à la Conférence;
       b)      La Namibie, représentée par le Conseil des Nations Unies pour la Namibie,
à participer à la Conférence, conformément au paragraphe 6 de la résolution
37/233 C de l'Assemblée générale, en date du 20 décembre 1982;
       c)      Les représentants des organisations qui ont reçu de l'Assemblée générale
une invitation permanente à participer en tant qu'observateurs aux sessions et aux
 travaux de toutes les conférences internationales convoquées sous ses auspices à
participer à la Conférence en cette qualité, conformement aux resolutions
 3237 (XXIX) et 31/152 de l'Assemblée générale, en date des 22 novembre 1974 et
20 décembre 197 6 ;
       d)      Les représentants des nouvements de libération nationale reconnus par
 l'Organisation de l'unité africaine dans sa région à participer à la Conférence en
 qufliïïte d'observateurs, conformément à la résolution 3280 (XXIX) de l'Assemblée
générale, en date du 10 décembre 1974;
        e)     Les représentants des organisations intergouvemementales internationales
qui ont traditionnellement été invitées à participer en tant qu'observateurs aux
 conférences de codification convoquées sous les auspices de l'Organisation des
 Nations Unies à participer à la Conférence en une qualité qui sera étudiée lors des
 consultations visées au paragraphe 8 ci-dessous et décidée par l'Assemblée générale
 à sa quarantième session;
        3.      Invite les participants mentionnés au paragraphe 2 ci-dessus a inclure
 autant que~F*sl7 ble parmi leurs représentants des experts compétents dans le
 domaine à étudier;
        4.      Décide que les langues de la Conférence seront les langues officielles et
 les langues”de travail de l'Assemblée générale, de ses commissions et de ses
 sous-commissions;
        5.      Re_nvoie à la Conférence, en tant que proposition de base à examiner, le
 projet*d'articles sur le droit des traités entre Etats et organisations
  internationales ou entre organisations^internationales adopté par la Commission du
 droit international à sa trente-quatrième session;
         2/ A / 3 9 / 4 9 1 .
 ---pagebreak---                                                                             A/RE3/39/86
                                                                            Page 3
       6.   Prie le Secrétaire général de présenter à la Conférence tous les
 documents et recommandations pertinents concernant le règlement intérieur et les
 méthodes de travail/ compte tenu du fait qu'il importe de faciliter un accord
 général sur le résultat final des travaux de la Conférence, et de faire le
 necessaire pour mettre a la disposition de celle-ci le personnel, les moyens
 matériels et les services voulus, notamment en ce qui concerne l'établissement de
 comptes rendus analytiques»
       7.  Pr ie également le Secrétaire général de prendre des dispositions pour
assurer la présence à la Conférence, en qualité d'expert, du Rapporteur spécial de
 la Commission du droit international chargé de la question des traités conclus
entre Etats et organisations internationales ou entre deux ou plusieurs
 organisations internationales;
      8.   Appelle les participants à la Conférence à organiser, avant la
Conférence, des consultations portant principalement sur l'organisation et les
méthodes de travail de la Conférence, notanment le règlement intérieur, et sur les
grandes questions de fond, dont les clauses finales et le règlement des différends,
afin d'assurer le succès des travaux de la Conférence en facilitant un accord
général »
      9.   Décide d'inscrire à l'ordre du jour provisoire de sa quarantième session
une question intitulée "Préparatifs de la Conférence des Nations Unies sur le droit
des traites entre Etats et organisations internationales ou entre organisations
internationales".
                                                                 99ème séance plénière
                                                                      13 décembre 19P4
 ---pagebreak---                                  Wat# York, 20 February 1*15
                       WORKING DOCUMENT
  on Traatiaa batwatn Itataa and intarnationaVOrganiiattona
            and feaflySan fiTCTnagloiial Qgqanl»iU6ni
   preparad by tha Lagal Exports of the Tan and tna
                 Coirroiaaibn in NaW York
X.        Aooording to Reaolutlon 39/16 o£ tha UN General
Aesembly, tha United Nation* Conférence on Treatiea between
Statea and International Organiaationa and between Interna­
tional Organisation* will be held in Vienna froro the 18th
rebruary to the 21>t Maroh 1986. The International Law
Conuniaaion' a 1982 draft abtiolea for a Convention on thi'a'
topic will be the batia for the work of the Conferenoe.
          A aubatantial effort in Européen coordination and
coopération will be required for the purpoeea of the 1986
Conférence. It will require the Community and the Ten to
define their general attitude towarda the development of
international law repraaented by the iLC'a draft Artielee
aa a whole# aa well aa to a number of apaoifio iaaueeof
principle and of procedure which may hâve a direct impact
on the Community'a ovn treaty-making activitiea.
          Becaue* of the ahortnesa of time before the Con­
férence convenea in 1986 and eepecially in view of the
coneultationa referred to balow, thie proceae of Européen
coordination and coopération will hâve to begin without
deley. The preaent peper ia-deaigned a» a contribution
to it.
                              i       ;
 ---pagebreak---                                2
2,       While it provide* for discussion of an item entitl­
ed "Preparations"     for the Conference at tha 40th session
of tha Q.A., tha Resolution quoted abova appaala to tha
"participants" to tha Confaranoa to organise consultations
"primarily on tha organisation and method of work of tha
Conference, inoluding rules of procedure, and on major issues
of substance including final clauses and settlement of di­
sputes ",
          Among those "participants" are tha international
organisations "which have traditionally bean invited to
participate, as observers at legal codification conferences
convened under tha auspices of the United Nations1’.                They
include the European Economic Community.
          Among the questions to be considered in tha consul­
tations one finds that of determining in what capacity in­
ternational organisations invited to the Conference will
participate in it* work, This, according to the Resolution,
is the only point, among the n u m e r o u s q u e s t i o n s to be dis­
cussed in the consultations, upon which the 40th 0.A.must
take a decision*
3.        It would seem therefore that, in order to formulate
the standpoint of the Community and of the Ten, one of the
most urgent tasks concerns, the problem of the capacity in
which the European Community, together with the other orga­
nizations invited under para. 2 (e) of Res. 39/86, will
participate in the Conference,
          In the comments it formulated in 1982 on the iLC'a
Draft Articles the Community, se r e g a r d s participation,
 ---pagebreak---                            - 3 -
stated the following!
    "Theoretically/ »*v*ral solution! are conceivable,
     ranging from a mare observer's status for interna­
     tional organisations to a jrol* of full participa­
     tion on a  par with States, An intermediate solution
     could consist in the admittance of international or­
     ganizations to an active participation in the nego­
     tiation procedure. This would correspond to the
     role that international organisations have been
     able to play in the elaboration 6f the present draft
     articles".
        it has not proved possible to agree in New York
on the further interpretation to be given to the phrase
"aotive participation". In statements made by the Pres­
idency in the Sixth Committee in 1983 and 1984 the problem"
was addressed in the following tarmei
    "The Ten consider that international organizations, .
     including the European Community, should participate
     on an appropriate basis, which would permit them to
     contribute effectively to the codification work of
     the Conference".
        Thie formulation resulted after intensive efforts
undertaksn by the Ten in New York. Nothing more precise
could be obtained because of the difference* in the posi­
tions held amongst the Member States and the Commission.
Theca positions range from mere observer status and full
participation without the right of vote.
                                                          ,•
                        I
 ---pagebreak---                               4
         Th* question is further-.oomplicated baoaua* aoai*
 d*v*l©ping oountri** h*v* r*qu*at*d that national'libér­
 ation movamentji b* *ccord*d at laaat th* aaro* traatmant a*
'international organisation*.
         During th* conaultationa held in U.N. fora in 1184
 bsfora and during.th* 39th General Aaaambly, th* followlng
 w*ra th* main approachaa «xploredi   (1) to add spécifie
 right» of participation to a provision giving th* Interna­
 tional Organiiation* th* statu* of obiervsrsf and (2) to
 apell out speoifio right* of participation to b* *njoy*d
 by th* International Organiiation*/ without apacifylng
 th*ir status.
         Thus a first problaza to b* add re aaad may oonaist
 in datarmining vhich of thés* two approachaa 1* prefarabl*
 It may howsvar b* obiarved that if th# apalllng out of th*
 right» of participation to be *njoy*d by Organiiation* i*
 aoourat* and complet*/ th* two approachaa ar* équivalent
 in practice.
         However/ it ha» b##n fait by «om# délégation* that
 th* first approach migbt b* las* favourabl* for th* Orga-
 nizationa th&n th* saoond/ bscaut* it oould b* argvsd that
 th* uiual limit*d capecity of oba*rv#r» in codification
 conférence* might funotion aa a raiiduary rul* for citai
 not coverad by th* rula* attributing »pacific compatanc**.
 Converiely/ if through.overiight a particular attribut*
 wa* not for*ae*n/ th*n under th* leoond approach it might
 b* argu*d that international organisation* had no right*
 of participation at ail in th* ar*a in' qu**tion.
 ---pagebreak---                               5
                The second ordsr of problema - which# at
least in principle# for the reason stated before# i> in*
dependent from the firet - conaeros whioh rights of per-
tiolpetion ere to be given to International Organisations*
                The following rights have been discussed
during the consultationsi
1)   the right to submit proposals and amendments!
        and
2)   the right to make statements.
                During these consultations# at least as
regards the right to submit proposals and amendments#the
limitation was proposed that suoh right should be exsrolf-,
ed through the sponsorship of the proposals and areendmentp
by a State or States participating in the Conference.
                The. questions raised are the followingi
a)   should the two rights be recognised to International
     Organizations and# if so# would they be sufficient?
b)   what position should be taken in connection with the
     "sponsorship" rule . proposed. ..and   are   there
     Variations    thsreof*" whioh can be envisaged (for
     Instancei to limit the sponsorship requirement to
     the submission of proposals for voting?)
                 In addition# other questions connected to
participation may be expected to be considered during the
consultations. None of them has baen discussed in New
 York.  7hey include the follovingi
                         \i
                          \
 ---pagebreak---                                  I
 1)  righta of participation on procédural quaatlona (a.g.,
     right to aubmit mot ion ■ to adjoum# pointa of ordar#
     •te) ».
 2)  righta of participation in informai maatinça (auoh aa
     •verking" and "draftingV groupa)»
 3)  righta of participation ' in procaduraa laading to oon**
     •anaua daoiaiona*
                                       I
 4.             Xn addition to tha problam of participation#
 savaral quaatlona of prlncipla ara likaly to ariae in tha
 couraa of tha oonaultationa undar tha rubrioNFinal' elauaaa
 and Settlamant of Diaputaa* mantionad abova. Borna of thaaa
 quaatlona hava not praviously, or at laaat not racantly,
.baan addraisad in Cownunity oonaultation. Thaaa quaationc
 of prinoipla includa tha followingi
 1)  how ahould organiaationa bacoma bound by tha Convantlon?
 2)  ahould participation in tha Convantlon by organiaationa
     ba relavant (and vithin vhat limita) for tha antry into
 .   força of tha Convantion?
 3)  vhat righta ahould ba Xntarnational Organiaationa hava
     ta ragarda reaervationa to tha Convantion?
                                         • ■
 4)  what righta ahould organiaationa hava aa ragarda arr.and-
     iranta?-
 5)  vhat ragima for tha lattlemant of diaputaa would ba
     acceptable to tha Community? and how would thla relata
     to tha poaitlona of tha marrbar Stataf# notably aa ragarda
     diaputaa involving lui poqana?
 ---pagebreak---                                   7
              Xn effort of refleotlon with a view to determining
 position* M t m i to ba still needed on tha aa pointa by delefa»
  tions* inoluding tbose o£ tha Tan. xt muet howavar b« XepV,
  in mind that tha idaa of oonaidaring at least sono ©f thasa
 questions in a "package* with tha quaation mantionad above
 o£ tha capaoity in vhieh Organisations will partioipata in
 tha Confaranca ha s baan evoked more than onca during consul­
 tations An-1984.
                                      j
 *•          Furthentort, amongst tha issuas of substanoa whioh
 ara likely to ba of prinoipla ooncarn to tha Community and
 tha Tan and soma or ail of which might ba raisad In tha con­
 sultations undar tha rubrio "Major Xssuaa of Substance"* .
 ara tha foilowing»
 1.   tha treaty-making powars of international organisations
      and tha modalities for thair exercise.
 3.   tha ragima of réservations.—
 3.   tha validity and affect of treaty obligations under-
      takan by International Organisations, Inoluding tha
      pxoblem of Article 31 bis.
.4.   tha provisions ralating to ius cogoni
           ■
             Xt may ba raoallad that tha Community has already
commentais on a numbar of tha'draft articles dealing with
issues of substance but thosa codants will r.aed to ba look-
ad at again bofore tha Confaranca takaa plaça. Spaoial im­
portance has draft Artiola 36 bis "Obligations and rights       '
arising for States membsrs of an international organisation
 ---pagebreak---                                     I
  froa k traaty to whloh tt la a. party", Under thi* article,
  which va a promptsd by th* apaolflo nature of tha IEC Traaty,
* Mambar States ara bound by traatiaa entered into by an orga­
  nisation,   if      tha oonstltuant*"Instrument ef tha organi­
  sation ao providea.
                                  i
  6.         Résolution 39/88 appaala to participants to tha
  Confaranca to organisa consultations on tha organisation
  and method of vork of tha Confaranca and on major issues of
  substance. Since tha Community, togather with othar orga­
  nisations, will ba ona of tha participants, tha qusstion
  arists of how Community views ara to ba conveyad during tha
  consultation phasa. Tha ganaral supposition at tha Unitad
  Nations is that tha consultations to ba hsld this year will,
  lik* thosa in 1984, ba prinoipally betwean stataa. In 1984
  tha UN Legal Counsel, who conductad tha consultations, hsld
  saparata meetings with tha UN organisations, and lt is prob­
  able that a similar meeting will ba hold this year. It would
 ba posslblla therefore, if Community participation in tha
  intar-stata consultation* would not ba possible bafora tha
  40th Sataion, for tha Community to oonvey its vlawa eeparata-
  ly to tha Legal Counsel or to tha Ambasaador of Iraq if ha
 conducta tha consultations suoh a procedure would of ooursa
 nacaaaltata cloea co-ordination betwesn tha viaws axpressad
 on behalf of tha Community and thosa expreaaed by-Hsmbar
  Stataa in tha consultations.'