Accession

How it is used

In treaty law, accession has the same effect as signature plus ratification. In the EU context, 'accession negotiations' and 'accession treaty' describe the path to membership. The verb is 'accede to'. In history it also means a monarch coming to the throne.

Example sentences

1. The country deposited its instrument of accession with the UN last month.

2. Accession negotiations are divided into chapters covering different policy areas.

3. Accession to the convention is open to all UN member states.

Common collocations

• accession negotiations
• accession treaty
• instrument of accession
• accede to a treaty
• accession process

Related terms

• ratifyTo give formal final approval to a treaty, usually after a parliament agrees, so that the state becomes legally bound by it.
• treatyA formal written agreement between states, or between states and international organisations, that is governed by international law and creates legal obligations.
• European UnionA political and economic union of European states that share common institutions, a single market and many common policies; its members pool part of their sovereignty.
• signatoryA state or person that has signed an agreement; in treaty law, a state that has signed a treaty but may not yet have ratified it.
• NATOThe North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance of North American and European states founded in 1949, whose members commit to defending each other.

More terms: Treaties & Agreements

• convention
• memorandum of understanding
• entry into force
• reservation
• withdrawal
• binding