TNAG-2523-FCO40-3684-Application-of-political-and-diplomatic-multilateral-treatie-1992 — Page 39

The Convention

CONFIDENTIAL

Vienna Convention on the

Law of Treaties, Vienna 1969

Item 15.19

1.

The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties

("the Convention") (text at Annex A) sets out the rules

governing the international law of treaties. Most of the

provisions of the Convention reflect rules of customary

law and the Preamble to the Convention

international

continue

affirms that the rules of customary international law will

to govern questions not regulated by its

provisions.

The Convention applies to international

agreements between States in written form and governed by

international law

itself

therefore,

(Articles 1 and 2).

The Convention

is not retroactive (Article 4) and does not,

apply to treaties concluded before its own entry

into force.

The Convention entered into force on 27

January 1980 and has applied to Hong Kong from that date.

Conclusion of Treaties

Part I I of the Convention begins with the rules

pertaining to the conclusion of treaties. A person is

considered to be an authorised representative of a State if

he produces

appropriate

full powers or if it appears from

CONFIDENTIAL