Declaration and reservation made upon signature and confirmed upon ratification:
"The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics considers it necessary 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."
Signature, ratification and declarations made by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.