Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Austrian State Treaty; Summit and Foreign Ministers Meetings, 1955, Volume V

251. Proposal of the Soviet Delegation¹

CF/DOC/6

Geneva , July 20, 1955 .

Item 2 of the Agenda: System of Security in Europe

GENERAL EUROPEAN TREATY ON COLLECTIVE SECURITY IN EUROPE

(Basic Principles)

I

For the purpose of ensuring peace and security and of preventing aggression against any state in Europe,

For the purpose of strengthening international cooperation in conformity with the principles of respect for the independence and sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs,

Striving to achieve concerted efforts by all European states in ensuring collective security in Europe instead of the formation of groupings of some European states directed against other European states, which gives rise to friction and strained relations among nations and aggravates mutual distrust,

Having in view that the establishment of a system of collective security in Europe would facilitate the earliest possible settlement of the German problem through the unification of Germany on a peaceful and democratic basis,

European states, guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations conclude a General European Treaty on Collective Security in Europe the basic provisions of which are as follows:

1. All European states, irrespective of their social systems, and the United States of America as well, may become parties to the Treaty provided they recognise the purposes and assume the obligations set forth in the Treaty.

Pending the formation of a united, peace-loving, democratic German state, the German Democratic Republic and the German Federal Republic may be parties to the Treaty enjoying equal rights with other parties thereto. It is understood that after the unification of Germany the united German State may be a party to the Treaty under general provisions hereof.

The conclusion of the Treaty on Collective Security in Europe shall not affect the competence of the Four Powers—the U.S.S.R., the U.S.A., the United Kingdom and France—to deal with the German problem, which shall be settled in accordance with decisions previously taken by the Four Powers.

2. The States-parties to the Treaty undertake to refrain from aggression against one another and also to refrain from having recourse to the threat or use of force in their international relations and, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, to settle any dispute that may arise among them by peaceful means and in such a way as not to endanger international peace and security in Europe.

3. Whenever, in the view of any State-party to the Treaty, there is danger of an armed attack in Europe against one or more of the States-parties to the Treaty, they shall consult one another in order to take effective steps to remove the danger and to maintain security in Europe.

4. An armed attack in Europe against one or several States-parties to the Treaty by any state or group of states shall be deemed to be an attack against all the Parties. In the event of such an attack, each of the Parties, exercising the right of individual or collective self-defence, shall assist the state or states so attacked by all means at its disposal, including the use of armed force, for the purpose of re-establishing and maintaining international peace and security in Europe.

5. The States-parties to the Treaty undertake jointly to discuss and determine as soon as possible the procedure under which assistance, including military assistance, shall be provided by the States-parties to the Treaty in the event of a situation in Europe requiring a collective effort for the re-establishment and maintenance of peace in Europe.

6. The States-parties to the Treaty, in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations, shall immediately inform the Security Council of the United Nations of any action taken or envisaged for the purpose of exercising the right of self-defence or of maintaining peace and security in Europe.

7. The States-parties to the Treaty undertake not to participate in any coalition or alliance and not to conclude agreements the objectives of which are contrary to the purposes of the Treaty on Collective Security in Europe.

8. The States-parties to the Treaty undertake to promote a broad economic and cultural cooperation among themselves as well as with other states through the development of trade and other economic relations, the expansion of cultural ties on a basis excluding any discrimination or restrictions which hamper such cooperation.

9. In order to implement the provisions of the Treaty concerning consultation among its Parties and to consider questions arising in connection with the task of ensuring security in Europe, the following shall be provided for:

(a) Regular or, when required, special conference at which each State shall be represented by a member of its government or by some other specially designated representative;

(b) The setting up of a permanent consultative political committee the duty of which shall be the preparation of appropriate recommendations to the governments of the States-parties to the Treaty;

(c) The setting up of a military consultative organ the terms of reference of which shall be specified in due course.

10. Recognising the special responsibility of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council for the maintenance of international peace and security, the States-parties to the Treaty shall invite the Government of the Chinese People’s Republic to designate representatives to the organs set up in accordance with the Treaty in the capacity of observers.

11. The present Treaty shall not impair in any way the obligations of European states under international treaties and agreements to which they are party, provided the principles and purposes of such agreements are in conformity with those of the present Treaty.

II

12. The States-parties to the Treaty agree that during the first period (two or three years) of the implementation of measures for the establishment of the system of collective security in Europe under the present Treaty they shall not be relieved of the obligations assumed by them under existing treaties and agreements.

At the same time the States-parties to existing treaties and agreements which provide for military commitments shall refrain from the use of armed force and shall settle by peaceful means all the disputes that may arise between them. Consultations shall also take place between the parties to the corresponding treaties, and agreements in case any differences or disputes arise among them which might constitute a threat to the maintenance of peace in Europe.

13. Pending the conclusion of agreements on the reductions of armaments and the prohibition of atomic weapons and on the withdrawal of foreign troops from the territories of European countries, the States-parties to the Treaty undertake not to take any further steps to increase their armed forces on the territories of other European states under treaties and agreements concluded by them previously.

14. The States-parties to the Treaty agree that on the expiration of an agreed time-limit from the entry into force of the present Treaty, the Warsaw Treaty of May 14, 1955, the Paris Agreements of October 23, 1954, and the North Atlantic Treaty of April 4, 1949, shall become ineffective.

15. The duration of the Treaty shall be 50 years.

1. Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 63 D 123, CF 514. Translation. This proposal was made at the Fourth Plenary Session of the Heads of Government, July 20; See Document 207.