What is an Accord?

We've all heard of accords. They're more like agreements, and, in fact, can be quite self-evident in understanding what it is. Whether you are a franco- or anglophone, you do not really have to worry about this word. After all,Je suis d'accord is one of the most used phrases in the French language; for an English-speaking, it's cinch. Or, is it?

According to Nicolson, accords are "matters of general international concern which are not of sufficient importance to justify a formal treaty or convention are frequently arranged by means of an "accord" or "agreement."

Can we thus surmise that accords are inconsequential with respect to diplomacy? Not quite. The most important thing to remember about them is that they are not as important as a treaty (c.f. Treaty of Versailles where several territorial concessions were made, or Locarno treaties of 1925), because they do not provide sufficient room for concessions owing to their tenuous nature.

We only have to think of the Irish Peace Accords, or better known as the Good Friday Agreement, where nothing substantial has been signed per se, but talks between Ulster Unionists, Sinn Fein and the British govt -- headed by PM Tony Blair and spearheaded by Mo Mowlam, Northern Ireland Secretary -- have taken place, and are taking place despite the current political permafrost. The reason why this is is that arms have yet to be decommisioned, etc. Just one of the tortuous problems inherent in the Irish Question.

In short, you only have to look at the above to realize that an accord is no way tantamount to a treaty.