EIRP Proceedings, Vol 8 (2013)

Abstract

This article approaches the concept of suzerainty, which, in time, has generated several disputes and disagreements, being also subject of conventions, treaties and international mediations. I have approached this sensitive and especially current since in contemporary international law, the political and legal ground of international personality of state is represented by its suzerainty; also, the integration of states in over-national bodies and structures is possible only for the states having the suzerainty acknowledged. Considering that suzerainty, as essential element characterising the state, gives expression both to the authority exercised over the community organised in the state and to some directed towards the exterior of community, I have analysed both the internal and external suzerainty. This articles focuses on determining – as accurate as possible – the characteristics of the concept of suzerainty and of the limits of exercising the suzerainty