In Austria, treaties that would have been approved by parliament have the full force of law without having to be domesticated by a piece of legislation. In South Africa, approval by Parliament of a treaty would not render it enforceable in the courts of law. It should first be domesticated through an Act of Parliament. Austria has established a Foreign Policy Council, comprising on a proportional basis, all political parties and should be consulted in all foreign affairs matters. The executive was therefore compelled to continuously consult with the Council on matters relating to foreign policy. Parliament could formulate conditions and interpretative explanations to be taken up in the text of a treaty.