Since the dissolution of the former USSR, twelve countries have, for the first time in modern history, been confronted with the task of defining their attitudes and policies towards the central means for law-making in the international community - the treaty. This 2002 book was the first comparative commentary in any language on the law of treaties as reflected in the legislation of Russia and other member countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, and in their international practice. Unusually, each has responded by enacting at least one law (sometimes more) on the procedures for treaty relations with other states and international organisations. The book is accompanied by original authoritative translations of all the relevant laws, an extensive classified bibliography and an informed commentary on every article in the laws.