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International Relations & Diplomacy vocabulary · Treaties & Agreements

Signatory

Meaning in international relations & diplomacy, with examples

/ˈsɪɡnətəri/nounCommon term

In international relations & diplomacy, signatory means: A 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.

In Turkish: imzacı, imzacı devlet

How it is used

Common in 'signatory states' and 'signatories to the treaty'. Before deciding whether to ratify, a signatory should not act against the object and purpose of the treaty. After ratification the state is called a 'party' or 'state party'.

Example sentences

  1. There are 45 signatories to the agreement, but only 20 parties.

  2. Signatory states are invited to attend the meetings as observers.

  3. The treaty was opened for signature, and 60 states became signatories on the first day.

Common collocations

  • signatory states
  • signatory to the treaty
  • original signatories
  • become a signatory
  • treatyA formal written agreement between states, or between states and international organisations, that is governed by international law and creates legal obligations.
  • ratifyTo give formal final approval to a treaty, usually after a parliament agrees, so that the state becomes legally bound by it.
  • conventionA formal multilateral agreement between states on a specific subject, such as human rights or the law of the sea; legally it is a type of treaty.
  • accessionThe act of a state becoming a party to a treaty that it did not sign earlier, or joining an international organisation such as the EU or NATO.
  • entry into forceThe moment when a treaty or law starts to have legal effect, often after a set number of states have ratified it or on a specified date.

More terms: Treaties & Agreements

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