Observers in the Process of Concluding International Treaties

The article deals with the participation of observers from states and international organizations in the process of concluding international treaties. The status of observers is not defined in present laws and regulations; also there are no significant scientific researches on this topic, both internationally and nationally. Nevertheless, as a result of long practice, a certain set of rights and obligations of observers has been formed, which characterizes their status. In the present publication, the author dissects separate stages of treaty-making process in which observers can be involved and gives the characteristics of rights and obligations for such observers. Despite the limited functionality of the observers, their involvement in the process is quite high. When discussing the provisions of the international treaty, it is important for its future participants to obtain the opinion of competent organizations or interested states on the subject and the main provisions of such treaty. Thus, the participation of observers in the process of concluding international treaties is not only a unilaterally granted privilege, but also a legal symbiosis with other actors in the process, where treaties become more natural and viable. In the author’s opinion, observer states and observer organizations play an important role in the process of creating international legal norms. Taking into account the comments and recommendations of observers at conferences or in international organizations significantly increases the chance of adopting the text of the treaty when voting. This research may be of interest to persons engaged in law of treaties, law of international organizations, procedural issues of concluding international treaties, as well as the status of participants in the process of concluding treaties.