Declaration on Germany

The Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States met on 14th December, 1966, on the eve of the Ministerial Meetings of the North Atlantic Alliance in Paris, in order to discuss the situation in Germany.

The meeting took place exactly eight years after the four Foreign Ministers had met in Paris on 14th December, 1958, when Foreign Minister Brandt, then Governing Mayor of Berlin, reported on the situation of Berlin. The Foreign Ministers confirmed that their governments would continue to be responsible for the security and viability of a free Berlin.

The Foreign Ministers of France, the United Kingdom and the United States took note of the intention of the Federal Republic of Germany to develop human, economic and cultural contacts between the two parts of Germany. These contacts aim in particular at alleviating the human misery which is a result of the partition of the German people. The three Ministers share the views of the Federal Government and will support these efforts within the framework of the responsibilities incumbent on their governments.

The Ministers re-emphasized that the solution of the German question is one of the essential problems in the relations between East and West. This solution can only be achieved by peaceful methods, on the basis of the right of self-determination, and through the creation of an atmosphere of détente on the continent, under conditions guaranteeing the security of all countries.