Russie

Declarations:

1) In respect of paragraph 1 of Article 8 of the Framework Agreement the Russian Federation declares that, in accordance with its national legislation, it considers the notion of “substantially equivalent level of reliability” as stipulating, inter alia, legal liability for a failure to comply with obligations arising in connection with the cross-border exchange of trade-related data and documents in electronic form;
2) The Russian Federation declares that it proceeds from the understanding of paragraph 2 of Article 12 of the Framework Agreement that “a self-assessment of their readiness” implies a self-assessment of own national legislation, and therefore the implementation schedule developed as a part of the action plan that is based on such an assessment cannot contradict national legislation.

Declaration:

1. The Russian Federation recognizes that, in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 9 of the Agreement, developed country Parties shall provide financial resources to assist developing country Parties with respect to both mitigation of climate change and adaptation to it in continuation of their existing obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change of 9 May 1992 (hereinafter referred to as “the Convention”). In this context, the Russian Federation notes that as a Party to the Convention the Russian Federation is not included in Annex II to the Convention.
2. The Russian Federation proceeds from the importance of conservation and enhancement of absorbing capacity of forests and other ecosystems, as well as from the necessity of the maximum possible account of this capacity including in the implementation of the Agreement’s mechanisms.
3. The Russian Federation considers unacceptable the use of the Agreement and its mechanisms as tools to create barriers to sustainable social and economic development of the Parties to the Convention.

Declarations:

a) In accordance with article 19, paragraph 1, of the Convention, the Russian Federation will apply the Convention when the parties to the international contract have agreed that it applies;
b) In accordance with article 19, paragraph 2, of the Convention, the Russian Federation will not apply the Convention to transactions for which a notarized form or State registration is required under Russian law or to transactions for the sale of goods whose transfer across the Customs Union border is either prohibited or restricted;
c) The Russian Federation understands the international contracts covered by the Convention to mean civil law contracts involving foreign citizens or legal entities, or a foreign element.

Declaration:

The position of the Russian Federation is that the provisions of article 16 of the Convention should be implemented in such a way as to ensure the inevitability of responsibility for the commission of offences falling within the scope of the Convention, without detriment to the effectiveness of international cooperation on the questions of extradition and legal assistance.

Declarations:

1) The Russian Federation possesses jurisdiction over the acts recognized as criminal pursuant to article 15; article 16, paragraph 1; articles 17 to 19, 21 and 22; article 23, paragraph 1; and articles 24, 25 and 27 of the Convention in the cases covered by article 42, paragraphs 1 and 3 of the Convention;
...
3) The Russian Federation believes that article 44, paragraph 15 of the Convention must be interpreted in such a way as to make accountability for offences falling within the purview of this Convention inescapable, without prejudice to the effectiveness of international cooperation on extradition and legal assistance;
...
4) The Russian Federation declares, on the basis of article 46, paragraph 7, of the Convention, that it will apply article 46, paragraphs 9 to 29, of the Convention in lieu of the corresponding provisions of treaties of mutual legal assistance concluded between the Russian Federation and other States Parties to the Convention, on a foundation of reciprocity, if, in the view of the central authority of the Russian Federation, to do so would facilitate cooperation;
...
7) The Russian Federation declares, in accordance with article 48, paragraph 2, of the Convention, that it will consider the Convention to be the basis for mutual cooperation between law enforcement agencies in respect of the offences covered by the Convention, provided that such cooperation does not involve investigations or other procedural activities in the territory of the Russian Federation;
8) The Russian Federation declares, in accordance with article 55, paragraph 6, of the Convention, that it will consider the Convention to be a necessary and sufficient treaty basis for taking the measures referred to in article 55, paragraphs 1 and 2, of the Convention, on a foundation of reciprocity.

1. The Russian Federation declares that in accordance with paragraph 2 of article 18 of the Convention, with respect to any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention, it recognizes the means of dispute settlement indicated in subparagraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph 2 of article 18 of the Convention as compulsory in relation to any Party accepting the same obligations;
2. The Russian Federation declares that in accordance with paragraph 4 of article 25 of the Convention any amendment to Annex A, B or C shall enter into force for the Russian Federation only upon the deposit of its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession with respect thereto.

Declarations:

The Russian Federation, in accordance with article 13, para-graph 6 of the Convention declares that, on the basis of reciprocity, it will consider the Convention the necessary and sufficient treaty basis for the taking of the measures referred to in article 13, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Convention;
The Russian Federation shall have jurisdiction over the offences established in accordance with articles 5, 6, 8 and 23 of the Convention in the cases envisaged in article 15, paragraphs 1 and 3 of the Convention;
The Russian Federation considers that the provisions of article 16, paragraph 14 of the Convention must be applied in such a way as to ensure the inevitability of responsibility for the commission of offences falling within the purview of the Convention, without detriment to the effectiveness of international cooperation in the areas of extradition and legal assistance;
The Russian Federation, on the basis of article 18, paragraph 7 of the Convention, declares that, on the basis of reciprocity, it will apply article 18, paragraphs 9 to 29 instead of the relevant provisions of any treaty of the mutual legal assistance conclu-ded by the Russian Federation with another State Party to the Convention, if, in the view of the central authority of the Russian Federation, that will facilitate cooperation;
The Russian Federation declares that, in accordance with article 27, paragraph 2 of the Convention, it will consider the Convention as the basis for mutual law enforcement cooperation in respect of the offences covered by the Convention, on condition that such cooperation does not include the conduct of investigatory or other procedural actions in the territory of the Russian Federation.

Declaration:

The Russian Federation, pursuant to article 3, paragraph 2, of the Optional Protocol, declares that, in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, citizens under the age of 18 may not be recruited for military service in the armed forces of the Russian Federation and a military service contract may not be concluded with them;
In accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, citizens who have reached the age of 16 are entitled to admission to professional military educational institutions. Upon enrolment in these institutions they shall acquire the status of members of the military performing compulsory military service. The legislation of the Russian Federation guarantees that such citizens shall conclude military service contracts on reaching the age of 18, but not before they have completed the first year of education in these educational institutions.

Upon signature:

Declaration:

It is the position of the Russian Federation that the provisions of article 15 of the Convention must be applied in such a way as to ensure the inevitability of responsibility for perpetrating the crimes falling within the purview of the Convention, without prejudice to the effectiveness of international cooperation with regard to the questions of extradition and legal assistance.
Upon ratification:

Declarations:

1. ....
2. It is the position of the Russian Federation that the provisions of article 15 of the Convention must be applied in such a way as to ensure the inevitability of responsibility for perpetrating crimes falling within the purview of the Convention, without prejudice to the effectiveness of international cooperation with regard to the questions of extradition and legal assistance.

Upon signature:

Declaration:

The position of the Russian Federation is that the provisions of article 12 of the Convention should be implemented in such a way as to ensure the inevitability of responsibility for the commission of offences falling within the scope of the Convention, without detriment to the effectiveness of international cooperation on the questions of extradition and legal assistance.
Upon ratification:

Declarations:

.....
2) "The position of the Russian Federation is that the provisions of article 12 of the Convention should be implemented in such a way as to ensure the inevitability of responsibility for the commission of offenses falling within the scope of the Convention, without detriment to the effectiveness of international cooperation on the questions of extradition and legal assistance".

Statement:

The Russian Federation proceeds from the assumption that the commitments of the Russian Federation under the Protocol will have serious consequences for its social and economic development. Therefore, the decision on ratification was taken following a thorough analysis of all factors, inter alia, the importance of the Protocol for the promotion of international cooperation, and taking into account that the Protocol can enter into force only if the Russian Federation ratifies it.
The Protocol establishes for each of the Parties that have signed it quantified reductions of greenhouse gas emissions to atmosphere for the first commitment period from 2008 to 2012.
The commitments of the Parties to the Protocol on quantified reductions of greenhouse gas emissions to atmosphere for the second and subsequent commitment periods of the Protocol, that is after 2012, will be established through negotiations of the Parties to the Protocol scheduled to start in 2005. On the outcome of these negotiations the Russian Federation will take a decision on its participation in the Protocol in the second and subsequent commitment periods.

Declaration:

The Russian Federation states that it considers that the procedures for the settlement of disputes set forth in article 30 of [the said Agreement] include all the provisions of part XV of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea that are applicable to the consideration of disputes between States Parties to the Agreement.
The Russian Federation states that, taking into account articles 42 and 43 of the Agreement, it objects to all declarations and statements which were made in the past and which may be made in the future when signing, ratifying or acceding to the Agreement or on any other occasion in connection with the Agreement and which are not in accordance with article 43 of the Agreement. It is the position of the Russian Federation that such declarations and statements, in whatever form they may be made and however they may be named, cannot exclude or modify the legal force of the provisions of the Agreement in their application to a Party to the Agreement that has made such a declaration or statement, and therefore will not be taken into consideration by the Russian Federation in its relations with that Party to the Agreement.

Declaration:

According to expert opinion, industrial exploitation of deep sea-bed mineral resources will not start earlier than in ten to fifteen years. Therefore, the International body for the sea-bed will not have a subject of real activity for a long time yet, which fact highlights especially the financial aspects of activities of the newly established organization. It is important to avoid non-productive administrative and other expenditures, to abstain from establishing yet unnecessary structures and positions, and to strictly observe the agreements concerning the economy regime reflected in the Agreement.
The efforts aimed at rendering universal the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982 can, in the long run, produce a positive result only if all the States act on the basis of the above-mentioned agreements without trying to seek any unilateral advantages, and if they succeed in establishing a cooperation free of discrimination and with a due account of the interests of potential investors in deep sea-bed mining.

Understanding:

The definition of "Territory" in the Cairo Guidelines and Principles for the Environmentally Sound Management of Hazardous Wastes (UNEP Governing Council decision 14/30 of 17 June 1987) to which reference is made in the preamble to the Convention is a special formulation and cannot be used for purposes of interpreting the present Convention or any of its provisions in the light of article 31, paragraph 2, or article 32 of the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties or on any other basis.

Reservation made upon signature and confirmed upon acceptance:

[Same reservation , mutatis mutandis, as that made by Belarus.]

Upon signature:

1. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics declares that, under article 287 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, it chooses an arbitral tribunal constituted in accordance with Annex VII as the basic means for the settlement of disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention. It opts for a special arbitral tribunal constituted in accordance with Annex VIII for the consideration of matters relating to fisheries, the protection and preservation of the marine environment, marine scientific research, and navigation, including pollution from vessels and dumping. It recognizes the competence of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, as provided for in article 292, in matters relating to the prompt release of detained vessels and crews.
2. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics declares that, in accordance with article 298 of the Convention, it does not accept the compulsory procedures entailing binding decisions for the consideration of disputes relating to sea boundary delimitations, disputes concerning military activities, or disputes in respect of which the Security Council of the United Nations is exercising the functions assigned to it by the Charter of the United Nations.
Upon ratification:

The Russian Federation declares that, in accordance with article 298 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, it does not accept the procedures, provided for in section 2 of Part XV of the Convention, entailing binding decisions with respect to disputes concerning the interpretation or application of articles 15, 74 and 83 of the Convention, relating to sea boundary delimitations, or those involving historic bays or titles; disputes concerning military activities, including military activities by government vessels and aircraft, and disputes concerning law-enforcement activities in regard to the exercise of sovereign rights or jurisdiction; and disputes in respect of which the Security Council of the United Nations is exercising the functions assigned to it by the Charter of the United Nations.
The Russian Federation, bearing in mind articles 309 and 310 of the Convention, declares that it objects to any declarations and statements made in the past or which may be made in future when signing, ratifying or acceding to the Convention, or made for any other reason in connection with the Convention, that are not in keeping with the provisions of article 310 of the Convention. The Russian Federation believes that such declarations and statements, however phrased or named, cannot exclude or modify the legal effect of the provisions of the Convention in their application to the party to the Convention that made such declarations or statements, and for this reason they shall not be taken into account by the Russian Federation in its relations with that party to the Convention.

Reservation:

Regarding article 20, paragraphs 2 to 7:

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics does not consider itself bound by article 20, paragraphs 2 to 7, of the International Convention on the Harmonization of Frontier Controls of Goods concerning the settlement of disputes;
Declaration:

Regarding article 16:

The participation in the International Convention on the Harmonization of Frontier Controls of Goods of regional economic integration organizations constituted by sovereign States does not alter the position of the Soviet Union with regard to such international organizations.

Declaration made upon signature and confirmed upon approval:

In view of its well known position, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics cannot recognize the legality of the names "Republic of Korea" and "Democratic Kampuchea" contained in the schedules to the Agreement establishing the Common Fund for Commodities.

Declaration:

[Same declaration, mutatis mutandis , as theone made by Belarus.]

In taking this action, the Soviet side assumes that the Agreements on the conditions for converting UNIDO into a specialized agency which were confirmed in General Assembly resolution 39/231, including the agreement on the equitable geographical distribution of posts and, in particular, the allocation of one of the posts of Deputy Director-General to the socialist countries, will be fully and strictly observed. This will ensure the universal character of the new Organization's activities in the interest of all countries members of UNIDO.
UNIDO activities aimed at promoting industrial development in the developing countries and at those countries' attainment of economic independence must be based on the progressive provisions and principles of the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States, the Declaration on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order and the Lima and New Delhi Declarations on international industrial development co-operation.
The Soviet Union believes that those goals can be achieved only by means of a fundamental restructuring of the existing unjust international economic relations, the conduct of progress ive social and economic reforms, the strengthening of the State sector of the economy and the implementation of national plans and programmes for social and economic development.
UNIDO must combat the acts of economic aggression, diktat, blackmail and interference in the internal affairs of States which are perpetrated by the forces of imperialism. It must oppose the policies of those States which are striving not only to maintain but also to increase the neo-colonialist exploitation of the developing countries.
Of particular significance is UNIDO's active promotion of the establishment of effective control of the activities of trans- national corporations with a view to restricting their negative influence on the economies of developing countries and on international economic relations and development as a whole.
In the Constitution of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the Members of UNIDO express their determination to contribute to international peace and security and to the prosperity of all nations; that determination should be reflected in the Organization's decisions and in its practical activities. Only under conditions of peace, and only when real disarmament measures are implemented, can significant additional resources be released for the needs of economic and social development, including the industrialization of the developing countries. The importance and urgency of that task was reaffirmed in the Declaration entitled "Maintenance of peace and international economic co-operation" adopted at the high-level Economic conference of the member countries of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance held in June 1984.
The Soviet Union bases its position on the need to apply consistently in practice that provision of the Constitution of UNIDO with regard to the purposes for which the regular and operational budgets of the expenditure of resources for programmes and projects, including "advisory services", which could serve for the penetration of foreign private capital into the economies of the developing countries. In order to ensure the effective and economical use of the resources of the regular budget, the level of that budget must be established on a stable basis.
At the United Nations Conference on the Establishment of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization as a Specialized Agency, the delegations of the socialist countries announced, on 7 April 1979, their opposition in principle to the use of funds from the regular budget of UNIDO for the provision of technical assistance.
In connection with the provision of the Constitution of UNIDO on the allocation of 6 per cent of the regular budget to technical assistance, the Soviet Union states that the corresponding promotion of its convertible currency contribution to the UNIDO budgetbe credited to a separate account in the Foreign Trade Bank of the USSR. The Soviet Union will make use of those funds to participate in the provision through UNIDO of technical assistance to interested countries.
The Soviet Union firmly expects that its positions of principle on the activities of UNIDO, as contained in this statement and as expressed in the course of the consultations on the conversion of UNIDO into a specialized agency, will be duly taken into account and acted upon. The nature and the extent of the Soviet Union's co-operation with UNIDO will depend on the implementation of the agreements reached, on the nature and direction of the practical activities of UNIDO and on that organization's real observation of the basic United Nations decisions relating to international economic development and the restructuring of international economic relations on an equitable and democratic basis.

Reservation:

In accordance with article 25 (1) of the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Passengers and Luggage by Inland Waterway of 1976, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 24 of that Convention, to the effect that any dispute between two or more Contracting Parties which relates to the interpretation or application of the Convention and which the Parties are unable to settle by negotiation or other settlement procedures may be referred for settlement to the International Court of Justice if any of the Parties so requests, and hereby declares that such a dispute may only be referred to the International Court of Justice with the consent of all the parties to the disputes in each individual case;
Declaration:

In accordance with article 23 (1) of the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Passengers and Luggage by Inland Waterway of 1976 the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics declares that the provisions of this Convention shall not apply to inland waterways of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics that are open to navigation only for vessels flying the flag of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics does not consider itself bound by article 13 of the European Agreement on Main International Traffic Arteries of 15 November 1975 and declares, that, before any dispute between Contracting Parties relating to the interpretation or application of the European Agreement may be referred to arbitration, in each particular case the consent of all the parties to the dispute must be obtained, and that only persons nominated by unanimous agreement of the parties to the dispute may act as arbitrators.

(a) Declaration in respect of article 52, paragraph 1:
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics considers that the provision of article 52, paragraph 1, of the 1975 Customs Con- vention on the International Transport of Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention), which restricts the participation of certain States in the Convention, is contrary to the generally recognized principle of the sovereign equality of States;
(b) Declaration in respect of article 52, paragraph 3 :
The participation of customs or economic unions in the 1975 Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention) does not change the Soviet Union's position regarding different international organizations;
(c) Reservation in respect of article 57, paragraphs 2 to 6:
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 57, paragraphs 2 to 6, of the 1975 Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention), which provide for the submission of disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention to a court of arbitration at the request of one of the Parties in dispute, and declares that the agreement of all the Parties in dispute is required in each particular case for the submission of the dispute to a court of arbitration.

In ratifying the 1975 Vienna Convention on the Representation of States in their Relations with International Organizations of a Universal Character, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics deems it necessary to state that the principle of the absolute inviolability of the offices of delegations to international conferences is a rule of customary international law which must be observed by all States.

The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics considers that the provisions of the Convention on a Code of Conduct for Liner Conferences do not apply to joint shipping lines established on the basis of intergovernmental agreements to serve bilateral trade between the countries concerned.

Reservation:

In accordance with article 18 (1) of the Convention relating to the Limitation of the Liability of Owners of Inland Navigation Vessels of 1973, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 17 of this Convention, to the effect that any dispute between two or more of the Contracting Parties which relates to the interpretation or application of this Convention and which the Parties are unable to settle by negotiation or other settlement procedures may, at the request of either of the Contracting Parties concerned, be referred for settlement to the International Court of Justice, and declares that such disputes may be referred to the International Court of Justice only with the consent of all the parties to the dispute in each individual case.
Declarations:

In accordance with article 10 (1) (a) of the Convention relating to the Limitation of the Liability of Owners of Inland Navigation Vessels of 1973, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics declares that the provisions of this Convention shall not apply to inland waterways of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics that are open to navigation only for vessels flying the flag of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
[The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics] to the United Nations notes that article 16 of this Convention, which provides for the possibility of its application by States Parties to the Convention to territories for whose external relations they are responsible, conflicts with the United Nations Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples of 14 December 1960.

[ Same declaration as the one reproduced under Belarus. ]

Upon signature and upon ratification:

The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics considers that the provisions of article 18 of the Customs Convention on Containers, 1972, which bar certain States from participation in it, are contrary to the universally recognized principle of the sovereign equality of States.
As to the provisions of article 25 regarding the settlement by arbitration of disputes concerning the interpretation and application of the Convention, the Government of the USSR declares that the adoption of this provision should not be interpreted as changing the view of the Government of the USSR that a dispute may be referred to an arbitration tribunal for consideration only with the consent of all parties to the dispute in each individual case.

Declaration and reservation:

[ For the text see the declaration and reservation made in respect of the European Agreement supplementing the Convention on Road Traffic concluded at Geneva on 1 May 1971 (chapter XI.B-23). ]

Declaration:

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics considers it necessary to state that the provisions of article 3 of the European Agreement supplementing the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic of 1968 and of article 3 of the European Agreement supplementing the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals of 1968, under which States may extend the applicability of the Agreements to territories for the international relations of which they are responsible, are anachronistic and contrary to the Declaration of the United Nations General Assembly on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960), which solemnly proclaims the necessity of bringing to a speedy and unconditional end colonialism in all its forms and manifestations.
Reservation:

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 9 of the European Agreement supplementing the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic of 1968 or of article 9 of the European Agreement supplementing the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals of 1968 under which disputes relating to the interpretation or application of the Agreements shall be referred to arbitration if any of the Parties in dispute so requests.

Reservations made upon signature and confirmed upon ratification:

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics will not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 19, paragraphs 1 and 2, of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971 as applied to States not entitled to become Parties to the Convention on the basis of the procedure provided for in article 25 of that Convention.
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 31 of the Convention concerning the referral to the International Court of Justice of a dispute relating to the interpretation or application of the Convention at the request of any one of the Parties to the dispute and declares that the referral of any such dispute to the International Court of Justice shall in each case require the consent of all Parties to the dispute.
Declarations made upon signature and confirmed upon ratification:

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics states that the provisions of article 25 of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, under the terms of which a number of States are not entitled to become Parties to the said Convention, are of a discriminatory nature and considers that in accordance with the principle of the sovereign equality of States the Convention should be open for participation by all interested States without any discrimination or restriction.
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics deems it essential to state that the provisions of article 27 of the Convention are at variance with the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples of the United Nations General Assembly (resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960), which proclaims the necessity of "bringing to a speedy and unconditional end colonialism in all its forms and manifestations".

Reservation:

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article15, paragraphs 2 and 3, of the Agreement relating to the mandatory submission to arbitration, at the request of one of the Parties, of any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of the Agreement.
Declarations:

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics deems it necessary to state that the provisions of article 9 of the Agreement, which limit the circle of possible participants to this Agreement, are of a discriminatory character, and states that, in accordance with the principles of sovereign equality among States, the Agreement should be opened for participation by all European States without any discrimination or restriction;
The provisions of article 14 of the Agreement under which Contracting Parties may extend its applicability to territories for the international relations of which they are responsible, are outmoded and contrary to the Declaration of the United Nations General Assembly on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960).

Reservation with respect of article 20, paragraphs 2 and 3:

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics does not consider itself bound by article 20, paragraphs 2 and 3, of the European Agreement concerning the Work of Crews of Vehicles Engaged in International Road Transport (AETR), and states that, for the submission to arbitration of any dispute among the Contracting Parties concerning the interpretation or application of the European Agreement (AETR), the agreement of all of the Parties in dispute shall be required in each individual case, and the arbitrators shall only be persons appointed by general agreement between the Parties in dispute.
Declaration with respect of article 19:

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics considers it necessary to declare that the provisions of article 19 of the European Agreement concerning the Work of Crews of Vehicles Engaged in International Road Transport (AETR), on the extension by States of the validity of the European Agreement (AETR) to the territories for the international relations of which they are responsible, are outdated and contradict the Declaration of the General Assembly of the United Nations on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) dated 14 December 1960), which proclaimed the necessity of bringing to a speedy and unconditional end colonialism in all its forms and manifestations.

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 66 of the Vienna Con- vention on the Law of Treaties and declares that, in order for any dispute among the Contracting Parties concerning the application or the interpretation of articles 53 or 64 to be submitted to the International Court of Justice for a decision or for any dispute concerning the application or interpretation of any other articles in Part V of the Convention to be submitted for consideration by the Conciliation Commission, the consent of all the parties to the dispute is required in each separate case, and that the conciliators constituting the Conciliation Commission may only be persons appointed by the parties to the dispute by common consent.
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics will consider that it is not obligated by the provisions of article 20, paragraph 3 or of article 45 (b) of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, since they are contrary to established international practice.
Declaration:

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics declares that it reserves the right to take any measures to safeguard its interests in the event of the non-observance by other States of the provisions of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics declares that the provisions of articles V and VII of the Convention on the Non-Applicability of Statutory Limitations to War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity, which prevent certain States from signing the Convention or acceding to it, are contrary to the principle of the sovereign equality of States.

Reservation and declarations made upon signature and confirmed upon ratification:
[Same reservation and declarations, mutatis mutandis, as those reproduced under "Belarus".]

Reservation and declarations made upon signature and confirmed upon ratification:

[Same reservation and declarations, mutatis mutandis, as those reproduced under "Belarus".]

Declaration:

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, pursuant to article 1 of the Optional Protocol, recognizes the competence of the Human Rights Committee to receive and consider communications from individuals subject to the jurisdiction of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, in respect of situations or events occurring after the date on which the Protocol entered into force for the USSR. The Soviet Union also proceeds from the understanding that the Committee shall not consider any communications unless it has been ascertained that the same matter is not being examined under another procedure of international investigation or settlement and that the individual in question has exhausted all available domestic remedies.

Declaration made upon signature and confirmed upon ratification:

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics declares that the provisions of paragraph 1 of article 26 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and of paragraph 1 of article 48 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, under which a number of States cannot become parties to these Covenants, are of a discriminatory nature and considers that the Covenants, in accordance with the principle of sovereign equality of States, should be open for participation by all States concerned without any discrimination or limitation.

Declaration made upon signature and confirmed upon ratification:

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics declares that the provisions of paragraph 1 of article 26 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and of paragraph 1 of article 48 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, under which a number of States cannot become parties to these Covenants, are of a discriminatory nature and considers that the Covenants, in accordance with the principle of sovereign equality of States, should be open for participation by all States concerned without any discrimination or limitation.

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics states that the provision in article 17, paragraph 1, of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination whereby a number of States are deprived of the opportunity to become Parties to the Convention is of a discriminatory nature, and hold that, in accordance with the principle of the sovereign equality of States, the Convention should be open to participation by all interested States without discrimination or restriction of any kind.

Reservation:

In accordance with article 15, paragraph 1, of the Convention on the Measurement of Inland Navigation Vessels the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 14 of that Convention, to the effect that any dispute between two or more Contracting Parties concerning the interpretation or application of this Convention which the Parties are unable to settle by negotiation or by other settlement procedures may, at the request of any of the Contracting Parties concerned, be referred for settlement to the International Court of Justice, and declares that for the referral of such disputes to the International Court, the consent of all the parties to the dispute is necessary in each individual case;
Declaration:

In accordance with article 10, paragraph 6, of the 1966 Convention on the Measurement of Inland Navigation Vessels, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics declares that the provisions of this Convention shall not apply to inland waterways of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics that are open to navigation only for vessels flying the flag of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

Declaration and reservation made upon signature and confirmed upon ratification:

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics considers it necess- ary to draw attention to the discriminatory nature of articles 17, 19, 22 and 23 of the Convention under which a number of States are deprived of the opportunity to become Parties to the Convention. The Convention deals with matters that affect the interests of all States, and it should therefore be open for participation by all States. According to the principle of sovereign equality, no States have the right to exclude other States from participation in a Convention of this type.
The Government of the Soviet Socialist Republics does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 16 of the Convention on Transit Trade of Land-locked States, under which members of the arbitration commission may be appointed by the President of the International Court of Justice, and declares that, in each individual case, the consent of the contending States is necessary for the appointment of members of the arbitration commission by the President of the International Court of Justice.

Declaration:

The Russian Federation:
1. Pursuant to article 5, paragraph 3, of the International Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organisations of 26 October 1961 (hereinafter referred to as the Convention), will not apply the criterion of fixation provided for article 5, paragraph 1 (b) of the Convention; 2. Pursuant to article 6, paragraph 2, of the Convention, will protect broadcasts only if the headquarters of the broadcasting organization is situated in another contracting State and the broadcast was transmitted from a transmitter situated in the same contracting State;
3. Pursuant to article 16, paragraph 1, of the Convention:
Will not apply article 12 of the Convention as regards phonograms the producer of which is not a national or a body corporate of another contracting State;
Will limit the protection provided for by article 12 of the Convention as regards phonograms the producer of which is a national of another contracting State to the extent to which, and under the terms on which, the latter State grants protection to phonograms first fixed by a national or a body corporate of the Russian Federation.

Reservation concerning article 11, paragraph 1:
In accordance with the principle of the equality of rights of States, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics considers that any difference of opinion regarding the size of a diplomatic mission should be settled by agreement between the sending State and the receiving State.
Declaration concerning articles 48 and 50:
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics considers it necess- ary to draw attention to the discriminatory nature of articles 48 and 50 of the Convention, under the terms of which a number of States are precluded from acceding to the Convention. The Con- vention deals with matters which affect the interests of all States and should therefore be open for accession by all States. In accordance with the principle of sovereign equality, no State has the right to bar other States from accession to a Convention of this nature.
6 June 1972

With respect to the reservation made by Bahrain to article 27 (3):
... This reservation is contrary to the principle of the inviol- ability of the diplomatic bag, which is recognized in international practice, and is therefore unacceptable.
11 October 1977

The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics does not recognize the validity of the reservation expressed by the People's Republic of China concerning paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 of article 37 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961.
7 November 1977

"The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics does not consider itself bound by the reservation made by the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya concerning article 27 of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations."
16 February 1982

"The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics does not recognize the validity of the reservation made by the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on its accession to the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, since that reservation is contrary to one of the most important provisions of the Convention, namely, that the diplomatic bag shall not be opened or detained."
6 October 1986

The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics does not recognize as valid the reservations of the Government of Qatar with respect to article 27, paragraph 3 and article 37, paragraph 2 of the 1961 Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The Government of the USSR considers that the reservations in question are illegal, since they conflict with the purposes of the Convention.
6 November 1986

The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics does not recognize as lawful the reservations of the Government of Yemen with respect to articles 27, 36 and 37 of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, since those reservations conflict with the purposes of the Convention.

The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics will not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 12, paragraphs 2 and 3, article 13, paragraph 2, article 14, paragraphs 1 and 2 and article 31, paragraph 1 (b) of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs as applied to States not entitled to become Parties to the Single Convention on the basis of the procedure provided for in article 40 of that Convention.
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics deems it essential to draw attention to the discriminatory character of article 40, paragraph 1, of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, under the terms of which certain States are not entitled to become Parties to the said Convention. The Single Convention concerns matters which are of interest to all States and has as its objective the enlistment of the efforts of all countries in the struggle against the social evil of the abuse of narcotics. The Convention should therefore be open to all countries. According to the principle of the sovereign equality of States, no States have the right to deny to other countries the possibility of participating in a Convention of this type.

(a) With respect to the Convention as a whole: The Govern- ment of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics declares that the provisions of this Convention will not be applied on inland waterways of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics that are open to navigation only by ships sailing under the flag of the USSR;
(b) With respect to article 14: The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics does not consider itself bound by article 14 of this Convention with regard to the reference of disputes to the International Court.
In acceding to the Convention, the Government of the USSR deems it necessary at the same time to state its view that article 10 of the Convention, which limits the number of States which may become Parties to it, is illegal.

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics considers that the provisions of article 39 of the Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets, which restrict the participation of certain States in the Convention, are contrary to the generally recognized principle of the sovereign equality of States.
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics deems it necessary to state that the provisions of article 43 of the Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets, to the effect that States may extend the Customs Convention to territories for the international relations of which they are responsible, are outmoded and at variance with the United Nations General Assembly's Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960), which proclaims the necessity of bringing to a speedy and unconditional end colonialism in all its forms and manifestations.
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics does not consider itself bound by article 44, paragraphs 2 and 3, of the Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets and states that the submission to arbitration of any dispute between Contracting Parties concerning the interpretation or application of the Customs Convention must be subject, in each specific case, to the agreement of all the Parties in dispute and that only persons designated by agreement between the Parties in dispute may act as arbitrators.

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics will apply the pro-visions of this Convention in respect of arbitral awards made in the territories of non-contracting States only to the extent to which they grant reciprocal treatment.

Article 9: The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics considers that the principle of international law according to which a ship on the high seas is not subject to any jurisdiction except that of the flag State applies without restriction to all government ships.
Declaration:

The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics considers that the definition of piracy given in the Convention does not cover certain acts which under contemporary international law should be considered as acts of piracy and does not serve to ensure freedom of navigation on international sea routes.

Article 20 : The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics considers that government ships in foreign territorial waters have immunity and that the measures mentioned in this article may therefore be applied to them only with the consent of the flag State.
Article 23 (Sub-Section D. Rule applicable to warships) : The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics considers that the coastal State has the right to establish procedures for the authorization of the passage of foreign warships through its territorial waters.

Reservation:

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 10 of the Agreement concerning the adoption of uniform conditions of approval and reciprocal recognition of approval for motor vehicle equipment and parts, of 20 March 1958, and state that, in order for any dispute between Contracting Parties concerning the interpretation or application of the Agreement to be submitted to arbitration, the consent of all the countries involved in the dispute shall be required in each individual case and that only persons appointed by the parties in dispute with their common consent may act as arbitrators.
Declaration:

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics considers it necessary to state that the provisions of article 9 of the Agreement concerning the adoption of uniform conditions of approval and reciprocal recognition of approval for motor vehicle equipment and parts, of 20 March 1958, which envisage the possibility of the Contracting Parties extending it to territories for the international relations of which they are responsible, are outmoded and at variance with the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960).

Declaration:
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics declares that the provisions of article 46 of the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road, 1956, to the effect that Contracting Parties may extend the Convention to territories for the international relations of which they are responsible, are outmoded and at variance with Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples adopted by the United Nations General Assembly [resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960].
Reservation:
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 47 of the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road, 1956, to the effect that disputes relating to the interpretation or application of the Convention may be referred to the International Court of Justice at the request of any one of the parties to the dispute, and states that the referral of such a dispute to the International Court of Justice must be subject to the agreement of all the parties to the dispute in each specific case.

The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, considering that disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the Customs Convention on the Temporary Importation of Private Road Vehicles can be decided by arbitration, declares that a dispute may be submitted to arbitration only with the agreement of all the parties in dispute and that only persons nominated by unanimous agreement of the parties in dispute may act as arbitrators.

The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, considering that disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the Additional Protocol to the Convention concerning Customs Facilities for Touring can be decided by arbitration, declares that a dispute may be submitted to arbitration only with the agreement of all the parties in dispute and only persons nominated by unanimous agreement of the parties in dispute may act as arbitrators.

The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, considering that disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention concerning Customs Facilities for Touring can be decided by arbitration, declares that a dispute may be submitted to arbitration only with the agreement of all the parties in dispute and that only persons nominated by unanimous agreement of the parties in dispute may act as arbitrators.

As regards article VII:
[ Same declaration as the one reproduced under "Albania". ]

Declaration:

In the Soviet Union the social conditions which give rise to the offences covered by the Convention have been eliminated. Nevertheless, in view of the international importance of suppressing these offences, the Government of the Soviet Union has decided to accede to the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others adopted on 2 December 1949 at the fourth session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 62 of the Protocol on Road Signs and Signals, which lays down that disputes between Contracting States concerning the interpretation or application of this Protocol may be referred to the International Court of Justice for decision by application from any of the States concerned, and declares that the agreement of all the States in dispute is required in each separate case for the submission of any dispute to the International Court of Justice for decision.

The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 33 of the Convention on Road Traffic, which lays down that disputes between Contracting States concerning the interpretation or ap- plication of this Convention may be referred to the International Court of Justice for decision by application from any of the States concerned, and declares that the agreement of all the States in dispute is required in each separate case for the submission of any dispute to the International Court of Justice for decision.

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics declares that it is not in agreement with article XII of the Convention and considers that all the provisions of the Convention should extend to Non-Self-Governing Territories, including Trust Territories.

Upon signature :

The USSR regards the reference to "Democratic Kampuchea" in the list of countries compiled for the purposes of the present Convention as unlawful, inasmuch as all matters relating to Kampuchean participation in international treaties and agreements lie exclusively within the competence of the Government of the People's Republic of Kampuchea.