Treaty between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

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[Title] Treaty between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

[Place] Moscow

[Date] August 12, 1970

[Source] German Government [Press-und informations-amt der bundes Regierung, Bonn, 1970], pp.7-13., Japan's Foreign Relations-Basic Documents Vol.2, pp976-981.

[Notes]

[Full text]

The High Contracting Parties

Anxious to contribute to strengthening peace and security in Europe and the world,

Convinced that peaceful co-operation among States on the basis of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations complies with the ardent desire of nations and the general interest of international peace,

Appreciating the fact that the agreed measures previously implemented by them, in particular the conclusion of the Agreement of 13 September 1955 on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, have created favourable conditions for new important steps destined to develop further and to strengthen their mutual relation,

Desiring to lend expression, in the form of treaty, to their determination to improve and extend co-operation between them, including economic relations as well as scientific, technological and cultural contacts, in the interest of both States,

Have agreed as follows:

Article 1

The Federal Republic of Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics consider it an important objective of their policies to maintain international peace and achieve detente.

They affirm their endeavour to further the normalization of the situation in Europe and the development of peaceful relations among all European States, and in so doing proceed from the actual situation existing in this region.

Article 2

The Federal Republic of Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics shall in their mutual relations as well as in matters of ensuring European and international security be guided by the purposes and principles embodied in the Charter of the United Nations. Accordingly they shall settle their disputes exclusively by peaceful means and undertake to refrain from the threat, or use of force, pursuant to Article 2 of the Charter of the United Nations, in any matters, affecting security in Europe or international security,as well as in their mutual relations.

Article 3

In accordance with the foregoing purposes and principles the Federal Republic of Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics share the realization that peace can only be maintained in Europe if nobody disturbs the present frontiers.

- They undertake to respect without restriction the territorial integrity of all States in Europe within their present frontiers;

- they declare that they have no territorial claims against anybody nor will assert such claims in the future;

- they regard today and shall in future regard the frontiers of all States in Europe as inviolable such as they are on the date of signature of the present Treaty, including the Oder, Neisse line which forms the western frontier of the People's Republic of Poland and the frontier between the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic.

Article 4

The present Treaty between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics shall not affect any bilateral or multilateral treaties or arrangements previously concluded by them.

Article 5

The present Treaty is subject to ratification and shall enter into force on the date of exchange of the instruments of ratification which shall take place in Bonn.

Done at Moscow an 12 August 1970 in two originals, each in the German and Russian languages, both texts being equally authentic.

For the Federal Republic of Germany Willy Brandt Walter Scheel

For the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Alexei N. Kosygin Andrei A. Gromyko

LETTER ON GERMAN UNITY

Dear Mr. Minister

In connection with today's signature of the Treaty between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany has the honour to state that this Treaty does not conflict with the political objective of the Federal Republic of Germany to work for a state of peace in Europe in which the German nation will recover its unity in free self-determination.

I assure you, Mr. Minister, of my highest esteem.

Walter Scheel

TEXT OF NOTES SENT TO THE EMBASSIES OF FRANCE, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE UNITED STATES IN MOSCOW

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Moscow

August 7, 1970

The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany greets the Embassy of the United States of America and has the honour on behalf of its Government to hand over the following Note with the request that its contents be brought to the notice of the Government of the United States by the most rapid channels:

The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany has the honour, in connection with the imminent signing of a Treaty be-tween the Federal Republic of Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, to communicate the following:

The Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs has, in the context of the negotiations, set forth the Federal Government's position as regards the rights and responsibilities of the Four Powers with regard to Germany as a whole and Berlin.

Since a peace settlement is still outstanding, both sides proceeded on the understanding that the proposed Treaty does not affect the rights and responsibilities of the French Republic, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern lreland, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America.

The Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs has in this connection declared to the Soviet Foreign Minister on 6 August 1970:

"The question of the rights of the Four Powers is in no way connected with the Treaty which the Federal Republic of Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics intend to conclude, and will not be affected by it."

The Foreign Minister of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics thereupon made the following declaration:

"The question of the rights of the Four Powers was not the subject of negotiations with the Federal Republic of Germany.

"The Soviet Government proceeded on the understanding that this question should not be discussed.

"Nor will the question of the rights of the Four Powers be affected by the Treaty which the U.S.S.R. and the Federal Republic of Germany intend to conclude. This is the position of the Soviet Government regarding this question."

The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States the assurance of its high consideration.

Notes to the same effect were sent to the French Embassy in Moscow and to the Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern lreland in Moscow.