The Concept and Characteristics of the State as a Subject of Public International Law

States are the main actors of international law and key actors in international affairs. States define the main vectors of the international law development  and have an influence (direct and indirect) on all trends in international life. Currently there is no universal, generally accepted definition of state іn positive international law. The purpose of the article is to analyze the approaches to the definition of the state as a subject of international public law and to outline the definition of the state in accordance with applicable international law and international legal practice.

The article analyzes the main characteristics of the state and the criteria (elements) of the state as a subject of public international law in accordance with applicable international law, international legal practice and modern international legal doctrine.

It is concluded that the state is a subject of public international law, which is a political and legal territorial entity that meets the following criteria: has a permanent population, a defined territory, government, capacity to enter into international relations. Given the presence of these four criteria (elements) of the state, the state's sovereignty is presumed.

It is also concluded that а state as a subject of public international law has the ability to create norms of international law; to acquire rights and obligations under such norms, to implement the specified norms; has the ability to participate in international public-legal relations; has the ability to bear international legal responsibility. The subject of international law is the state as a whole, and not its separate administrative-territorial units, state bodies or officials.