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Abstract
The consent of a State to be bound by a treaty may be expressed by signature, exchange of instruments constituting a treaty, ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, or by any other means if so agreed. As provided for by Article 11, the consent of a State to be bound by a treaty may as a rule be expressed by such traditional means as signature, the exchange of instruments constituting a treaty, and ratification, acceptance, approval or accession. Each of the means listed in Article 11 represents the formal expression of the State's will to be bound by the treaty. Article 11 also refers to any other means if so agreed. Th e notion of any other means is not explained further and leaves it to the negotiating States to choose among themselves how they wish to express consent to be bound by a treaty.