740.5/2–1952
Communiqué Issued by the Foreign Ministers of the United States, the United Kingdom, and France 1
During their meetings at the Foreign Office on the 17th, 18th and 19th February the Foreign Ministers of the United Kingdom, the United States of America and France considered a number of questions which were subsequently discussed with the Federal Chancellor. They also examined the relationship to be established between the European Defence Community and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
The Foreign Ministers of the United Kingdom and the United States of America declared their abiding interest in the establishment and integrity of the European Defence Community and, in association with the Foreign Minister of France, studied means by which their Governments could support and cooperate with the Community. These subjects will be matters of continuing consultation between the three Ministers and between their Governments, in order to find the appropriate means of giving the Community the desired cooperation and support.
The Foreign Ministers of the United Kingdom and the United States of America recalled the decision of their Governments to maintain armed forces in Europe, which, in association with the European Defence Forces, will contribute their fair share in the joint defence of the North Atlantic area.
- This communiqué was discussed by the three Foreign Ministers at their meeting on the afternoon of Feb. 18 (see telegram Secto 19, Feb. 19, from London, p. 65) and their meeting on the morning of Feb. 19 (see Barnes minutes, p. 72). For an earlier draft of this communiqué, see telegram Secto 17, Feb. 18, from London, p. 103.↩