international agreement

Definition

Accord, annex, charter, compromise, convention, memorandum of understanding, protocol, treaty, etc., which (as defined by the Vienna Convention On The Law Of Treaties) is an "agreement concluded between states in written form and governed by international laws, whether embodied in a single instrument or in two or more related instruments and whatever its particular designation." The title of the agreement is not a determining factor in making distinctions among different arrangements. Although considered binding, international agreements may lapse on expiration, through war or denunciation, or when a fundamental change in circumstances occurs. Multilateral agreements are usually open to all nations, plurilateral agreements involve a restricted number of nations, and bilateral agreements are usually private arrangements between two nations.