The depositary of the European treaties is the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe. He/she receives and transmits all the States’ notifications related to the life of the treaties: signatures, ratifications, acceptances and accessions, reservations and declarations, etc. He/she is the guardian of the treaties.
The depositary is the guardian of the treaty. It receives and transmits all the countries' notifications and communications related to the life of the treaty: signatures, ratifications, accessions, reservations, declarations, etc. Generally, the negotiators designate a depositary in the treaty text. Exceptionally, the depositary may be designated in some other manner, such as through a separate decision adopted by the negotiating countries.