| Abstract: | Treaties are usually concluded among national governments, which are also the traditional members of international organizations. The emergence of the European Community — a regional economic integration organization (REIO) to which member States have ceded some authority — has led to tensions in international environmental meetings and negotiations, in part because of foreign partners' uncertainty about how responsibilities are allocated between the REIO and its member States. This paper discusses the issues that arise when an REIO becomes a party to an international agreement or participates in an International organization, with particular attention to agreements and institutions that address international environmental issues. |
