Final Communiqué
- English
- French
Reaffirmation of the Alliance's goals and of its position regarding the proposed European Defence Community - Approval of Resolution regarding non-recognition of the "German Democratic Republic" - IndoChina.
- At a Ministerial Meeting held in Paris today, five years after the Treaty was signed, the North Atlantic Council reviewed the progress made by the Organization, examined the present internat- ional situation, and exchanged views on problems of common interest. The meeting was attended by the Foreign Ministers of the member governments under the chairmanship of M. Bidault.
- The Vice-Chairman and Secretary General, Lord Ismay, reported on the work of the Organization. His survey emphasized the effective working relationship developing within the Alliance, a relationship which goes beyond the formal obligations assumed by its members. The Foreign Ministers took this opportunity to reaffirm their association in the Atlantic Alliance as fundamental to the policies of their respective governments. Recalling the defensive and peaceful aims of the Treaty, they expressed their resolve to maintain and develop the Alliance not only as the firm basis for the collective defence of their peoples, but also as an enduring association for common action and co-operation between the member states in every field.
- After discussing international developments since its last meeting, the Council found no evidence that the ultimate aims of the Soviet Union and its satellites continues to increase. The Council therefore once more agreed upon the need for continuing efforts, vigilance and unity.
- The Council--reaffirming its long-established position that the institution of the European Defence Community is in the essential interest of the Alliance--welcomed the ratification of the EDC Treaty by a number of the signatories since the last Ministerial Meeting, which brings closer the entry into force of the Treaty. The Council also expressed its gratification at the far-reaching steps taken by the Governments of the United Kingdom and United States towards co-operation with the European Defence Community thus ensuring their lasting and close association with the defence of the continent of Europe.
- With regard to the recent declaration by the Soviet Government on the status of their zone of occupation in Germany, the Council noted with approval that member governments of the Organization had no intention of recognizing the sovereignty of the so-called German Democratic Republic or of treating the German authorities there as a government. It decided that the Permanent Representatives should draw up a resolution on this subject.
- The Council, with a view to developing further the habit of political consultation in the Council, adopted a resolution on that subject, the text of which has been published separately.
- The Council paid tribute to the gallantry of the French Union forces fighting in Indo-China. It expressed the hope that the Geneva Conference will have positive results.