Although a surprising reversal of views, it has been put down to the growing belief that countries could not abide by the agreement anyway.

But be warned, not all countries abide exactly by these rules, and so slight regional modifications are quite common.

But in practice, most countries only partly abide by those rules.

Those countries that are signatories to the Convention and retain effective bans today are not abiding by the convention.

There was a growing belief that countries would not abide by the agreement anyway.

Mr. Kim said vaguely that his country would abide by international agreements concerning nuclear weapons.

Trade agreements could be made contingent upon rules requiring that China and other countries abide by environmental and labor standards.

The 152 countries that have signed the treaty are all abiding by its terms.

Once such a change is made, it does of course follow that every country - whether Germany or some other - must abide by the rules.

Whatever the final language, both countries must abide by the text.