Comment: The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties and its Contribution to Peace

Abstract

The presentation by Dr. Vermeer-Künzli quite rightly puts emphasis on the question to what extent the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT) contributes to stability in international relations as one of the necessary requirements for the establishment and maintenance of peace. It raises the fundamental question as to whether stability inducing predictability as an element of international relations between States constitutes a necessary means to avoid tensions and conflicts between these actors. If that is so, and there can hardly be any doubt, the subsequent question is whether treaties contribute to the creation, enhancement or strengthening of such stability. This enquiry is characterized by a complex ramification and raises questions that require answers on different levels.

At the top level, the question needs to be raised whether the smooth development of international relations needs more stability or flexibility, a question similar to that whether peace or justice is the first target to be achieved. This is a question of fundamental nature affecting the whole essence of international relations and international law, which is too broad to be dealt with any further here.