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Synopsis: Encouraging developments in East-West relations - Reagan-Gorbachev meeting in Geneva - Prospects for improved relations - Major concern over continuing build up of Soviet nuclear and conventional arms - Continued validity of deterrence - Transatlantic consultations - Criteria for progress in arms control - Review of Geneva negotiations - Agreement between Reagan and Gorbachev to accelerate work in Geneva - Support for NF interim agreement - LRINF deployment - Allied proposals in MBFR - Search for ban on chemical weapons - Geneva Conference on Disarmament - Helsinki Final Act implementation - CDE - 10th anniversary of Helsinki Final Act - Commitment to the CSCE process - Berlin - Quadripartite Agreement - Inner German relations - Afghanistan - Poland - Events outside the Treaty area - Terrorism - Strategy for improving armaments cooperation within the Alliance - Special programmes for less favoured partners - Spring 1986 Ministerial Meeting.

The North Atlantic Council met in Ministerial Session in Brussels on 12th and 13th December 1985. Ministers agreed as follows:

  1. Encouraging developments have taken place in East-West relations since our meeting in Lisbon in June. They demonstrate the validity of our policy - reaffirmed in the Washington Statement - of preserving peace in freedom through adequate military strength and political solidarity and, on that basis, pursuing a more stable and cooperative relationship between the countries of East and West.
     
  2. We welcome recent high level East-West contacts, notably the meeting between President Reagan and General Secretary Gorbachev, which marks an important step in our efforts to develop a realistic and constructive dialogue with the countries of the East. We hope that this will lead to improved relations, more extensive contacts, including regular high level meetings, and broad co-operation on the full range of East-West questions. We shall all play our full part in making further progress. We call upon the Soviet Union and its allies to join us in this endeavour.
     
  3. Meanwhile, the continuing build-up of Soviet nuclear and conventional arms remains a major Allied concern. We do not seek military superiority. But we are determined to safeguard our security by maintaining adequate conventional and nuclear forces. Our strategy of deterrence has proved its worth in preserving peace, and remains fully valid.

    The close and permanent link between North American and European Allies, which has kept the peace for 36 years, remains the basis of our collective security. Alliance cohesion will continue to be ensured through close consultations on all matters affecting our common interests and security. The value of these consultations has again been clearly demonstrated in recent months.
     
  4. We are committed to substantive progress in arms control. This must be based on the criteria of strengthened stability, equitable and significant reductions, and effective verification.
     
  5. We have reviewed the US-Soviet negotiations in Geneva on their strategic and intermediate range nuclear weapons, and on defence and space systems. These aim to prevent an arms race in space and terminate it on earth, limit and reduce nuclear arms and strengthen strategic stability: We strongly support US efforts in all three areas of negotiation. We welcome the agreement between President Reagan and General Secretary Gorbachev to accelerate work at Geneva, in particular in areas where there is common ground, including the principle of 50% reductions in US and Soviet nuclear arms, appropriately applied.

    The Allies concerned endorse the constructive proposals on US and Soviet INF systems recently tabled in Geneva by the US, and support the idea of an interim agreement. They reiterate their willingness to modify, halt, reverse, or dispense with longer range INF (LRINF) deployment as part of an equitable and verifiable arms control agreement. In the absence of such an agreement they will continue to deploy LRINF missiles on schedule (1).
     
  6. The Allies participating in the Vienna MBFR negotiations proposed on 5th December 1985 a verifiable agreement for US-Soviet ground force reductions, followed by a collective no-increase commitment of three years on US and Soviet and NATO and Warsaw Pact forces. The proposal embodies associated measures which open the way to the establishment of reliable force levels and which are essential to verify compliance with the Agreement's provisions. It responds to an earlier Eastern proposal and represents an imaginative attempt to break a long-standing deadlock.
     
  7. We remain deeply concerned about the proliferation and use of chemical weapons. At the Geneva Conference on Disarmament we seek an effective and verifiable convention on a general and complete prohibition of such weapons and on the destruction of existing stockpiles. We strongly support the agreement between President Reagan and General Secretary Gorbachev to accelerate their efforts to this end.
     
  8. We call upon the Soviet and East European governments to implement effectively all provisions of the Helsinki Final Act and the Madrid Concluding Document. We note with regret that the Ottawa meeting on Human Right sand the Budapest Cultural Forum, although useful in themselves, revealed persisting deficiencies in the implementation of these documents, and were unable to reach common conclusions.

    At the Stockholm Conference (CDE), an integral part of the CSCE process, we are actively working for early agreement consistent with the Madrid Mandate. Such an agreement would embody a substantial set of militarily significant confidence and security building measures, covering the whole of Europe, and give concrete expression and effect to the existing duty of all participating states to refrain from the threat or use of force.

    All participating states reaffirmed their commitment to the Helsinki Final Act on its 10th anniversary. We seek to promote genuine and balanced progress in all its aspects, including those concerned with respect for human rights and the fundamental freedoms of the individual, and those relating to cooperation between states. We remain committed to meaningful results at the forthcoming Berne meeting on human contacts. The Vienna Follow-up meeting will review all aspects of the CSCE process.
     
  9. The maintenance of a calm situation in and around Berlin, including freedom of access to the city, remains of fundamental importance for East-West relations. The strict observance and full implementation of the Quadripartite Agreement are essential to this end. In this connection, we support all efforts to promote the prosperity and viability of the city. We also support the efforts of the Federal Republic of Germany further to develop inner-German relations as a significant contribution to peace and to the well-being of the people of a divided Germany; particularly the Berliners.
     
  10. We urge the Soviet Union to end the unacceptable military occupation of Afghanistan now approaching its seventh year, to withdraw its troops, and agree to a political solution restoring Afghanistan's independence and non- aligned status.

    We emphasise the continuing need in Poland for genuine dialogue between the various elements of society and for national reconciliation. We, for our part, respect the sovereignty and independence of all states. We will remain vigilant and will consult on events outside the Treaty area which might threaten our common security.
     
  11. We strongly condemn terrorism and will continue to work to eliminate this threat. We invite all states to join us in this resolve.
     
  12. We have examined ways of enhancing armaments cooperation among all the countries of the Alliance. This cooperation reflects our continuing concern for effective defence, particularly in the conventional field. In the light of our examination, we have decided to implement a strategy aimed at improving cooperation. This should give a fresh boost to the work being done in this field within the Alliance and lead in a short time to specific cooperative programmes encompassing both its European and North American members.
     
  13. In the spirit of Article 2 of the North Atlantic Treaty, we reaffirm the importance of special programmes for less favoured partners and remain committed to promoting the stability and well-being of our community of free nations.
     
  14. The Spring 1986 meeting of the Council in Ministerial Session will be held in Halifax, Canada, in May.

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain reserves his Government's position on the present Communiqué.

Footnote:

  1. Denmark and Greece reserve their positions on the INF part of this paragraph.

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Extracts for Publication from the Minutes of the Ministerial Meeting of the Council

In addition to the Communiqués, the Foreign Ministers decided to publish the following extracts from the Minutes of their Meeting in Brussels on 12th and 13th December 1985.

Economic Cooperation and Assistance Within the Alliance

Ministers emphasised that Allied security does not only depend on military deterrence and political cohesion but also on the economic well-being of all members of NATO. Noting the Secretary General's personal report on "Economic Cooperation and Assistance Within the Alliance" in which concern was expressed about the growing gap in the GDP per capita of Greece, Portugal and Turkey relative to the NATO average, Ministers stressed the need for more cooperation and assistance particularly in the economic, technical, scientific, military and defence industrial sectors. Ministers also took note of the Secretary General's call that the more prosperous Allies; in taking economic decisions which affect Greece, Portugal and Turkey, take into consideration the special needs of those countries, and, to this end, also bring their influence to bear in the appropriate international fora.

Terrorism

Referring to paragraph 11

Committee on the Challenges of Modern Society (CCMS)

Ministers took note of the Secretary General's annual report for 1985 on the work of the Committee on the Challenges of Modern Society and expressed satisfaction at the continuance of its high level of activities. Two studies were completed in the course of the year: Air Pollution Control Strategies and Impact Modelling and Seismology and Earthquake Loss Reduction. Two studies on Utilisation and Disposal of Municipal Sewage Sludge and Conservation/Restoration of Monuments are almost complete. Finally, three new studies, on Aircraft Noise in a Modern Society, Dioxin Problems, and Estuarine Management, have been undertaken by the Committee.

Science for Stability

Ministers noted with satisfaction the achievements since 1981 of the Science for Stability programme aimed at mobilising the human and institutional resources of Greece, Portugal and Turkey on advanced technological projects of economic relevance. In view of this success, Ministers decided in principle to extend the duration of this programme for the period 1987-91. The level of funding will be decided later.

The Situation in the Mediterranean

Ministers noted the report on the Situation in the Mediterranean. In view of the actual and potential impact on Alliance security of events in the area, they requested the Council in Permanent Session to continue to consult on the question and to submit further reports at their future meetings.

Out-of-Area

Ministers reaffirmed that events outside the Treaty area may affect their common interests as members of the Alliance. They will engage in timely consultations on such events, if it is established that their common interests are involved. Sufficient military capabilities must be assured in the Treaty area to maintain an adequate defence posture. Allies who are in a position to do so will endeavour to support those sovereign nations who request assistance in countering threats to their security and independence. Those Allies in a position to facilitate the deployment of forces outside the Treaty area may do so, on the basis of national decision.

East-West Trade

Recalling previous statements, Ministers reaffirmed that trade conducted on the basis of commercially sound terms and mutual advantage, that avoids preferential treatment of the Soviet Union, contributes to constructive East-West relations. At the same time, bilateral economic relations with the Soviet Union and the countries of Eastern Europe must remain consistent with broad Allied security concerns. These include avoiding dependence on the Soviet Union, or contributing to Soviet military capabilities. In order to avoid further use by the Soviet Union of some forms of trade to enhance its military strength, the Allies will remain vigilant in their continuing review of the security aspects of East-West economic relations. This work will assist Allied governments in the conduct of their policies in this field.

Footnote:

 

1. Denmark and Greece reserve their positions on the INF part of this paragraph.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Extracts for Publication from the Minutes of the Ministerial Meeting of the Council

 

In addition to the Communiqués, the Foreign Ministers decided to publish the following extracts from the Minutes of their Meeting in Brussels on 12th and 13th December 1985.

 

Economic Cooperation and Assistance Within the Alliance

 

Ministers emphasised that Allied security does not only depend on military deterrence and political cohesion but also on the economic well-being of all members of NATO. Noting the Secretary General's personal report on "Economic Cooperation and Assistance Within the Alliance" in which concern was expressed about the growing gap in the GDP per capita of Greece, Portugal and Turkey relative to the NATO average, Ministers stressed the need for more cooperation and assistance particularly in the economic, technical, scientific, military and defence industrial sectors. Ministers also took note of the Secretary General's call that the more prosperous Allies; in taking economic decisions which affect Greece, Portugal and Turkey, take into consideration the special needs of those countries, and, to this end, also bring their influence to bear in the appropriate international fora.

 

Terrorism

 

Referring to paragraph 11

 

Committee on the Challenges of Modern Society (CCMS)

 

Ministers took note of the Secretary General's annual report for 1985 on the work of the Committee on the Challenges of Modern Society and expressed satisfaction at the continuance of its high level of activities. Two studies were completed in the course of the year: Air Pollution Control Strategies and Impact Modelling and Seismology and Earthquake Loss Reduction. Two studies on Utilisation and Disposal of Municipal Sewage Sludge and Conservation/Restoration of Monuments are almost complete. Finally, three new studies, on Aircraft Noise in a Modern Society, Dioxin Problems, and Estuarine Management, have been undertaken by the Committee.

 

Science for Stability

 

Ministers noted with satisfaction the achievements since 1981 of the Science for Stability programme aimed at mobilising the human and institutional resources of Greece, Portugal and Turkey on advanced technological projects of economic relevance. In view of this success, Ministers decided in principle to extend the duration of this programme for the period 1987-91. The level of funding will be decided later.

 

The Situation in the Mediterranean

 

Ministers noted the report on the Situation in the Mediterranean. In view of the actual and potential impact on Alliance security of events in the area, they requested the Council in Permanent Session to continue to consult on the question and to submit further reports at their future meetings.

 

Out-of-Area

 

Ministers reaffirmed that events outside the Treaty area may affect their common interests as members of the Alliance. They will engage in timely consultations on such events, if it is established that their common interests are involved. Sufficient military capabilities must be assured in the Treaty area to maintain an adequate defence posture. Allies who are in a position to do so will endeavour to support those sovereign nations who request assistance in countering threats to their security and independence. Those Allies in a position to facilitate the deployment of forces outside the Treaty area may do so, on the basis of national decision.

 

East-West Trade

 

Recalling previous statements, Ministers reaffirmed that trade conducted on the basis of commercially sound terms and mutual advantage, that avoids preferential treatment of the Soviet Union, contributes to constructive East-West relations. At the same time, bilateral economic relations with the Soviet Union and the countries of Eastern Europe must remain consistent with broad Allied security concerns. These include avoiding dependence on the Soviet Union, or contributing to Soviet military capabilities. In order to avoid further use by the Soviet Union of some forms of trade to enhance its military strength, the Allies will remain vigilant in their continuing review of the security aspects of East-West economic relations. This work will assist Allied governments in the conduct of their policies in this field.