General rule of interpretation
1. A treaty shall be interpreted in good faith in accordance with the ordinary meaning to be given
to the terms of the treaty in their context and in the light of its object and purpose.
2. The context for the purpose of the interpretation of a treaty shall comprise, in addition to the
text, including its preamble and annexes:
(a)
any agreement relating to the treaty which was made between all the parties in connection with
the conclusion of the treaty;
(b)
any instrument which was made by one or more parties in connection with the conclusion of the
treaty and accepted by the other parties as an instrument related to the treaty.
3. There shall be taken into account, together with the context:
(a)
any subsequent agreement between the parties regarding the interpretation of the treaty or the
application of its provisions;
(b)
any subsequent practice in the application of the treaty which establishes the agreement of the
parties regarding its interpretation;
(c)
any relevant rules of international law applicable in the relations between the parties.
4. A special meaning shall be given to a term if it is established that the parties so intended.
Official text
Machine-parsed
In force from 23 May 1969
Source page 12