Press Communiqué North Atlantic Council Paris 4th-5th May 1956

Final Communiqué Chairman: Mr. K. Gudmundsson. Synopsis Committee of Three Foreign Ministers appointed to advise the Council on ways and means to extend cooperation in non-military fields and to strengthen unity in the Atlantic community.

The North Atlantic Council met in Paris on May 4 and 5 under the Chairmanship of Dr. Gudmundsson, Foreign Minister of Iceland, and issued the following communique: The Atlantic Powers, seven years ago, entered into the North Atlantic Treaty in face of the Communist threat to their common ideals and civilization. For they had seen imperiled all the human rights which their peoples regard as essential for their life and freedom, particularly representative government, freedom of the individual, the rule of law and liberty of the press. With the disappearance of the last free regime in Eastern Europe, that of Czechoslovakia, the Berlin Blockade in 1948, and two years later, the invasion of Korea, the concern of the free world reached its climax. The need for collective military defence was all the more obvious because at the end of the Second World War the free world had disarmed. These were the circumstances which led to the creation of NATO and its military strength, and this is why the sacrifices necessary for the defence of the Atlantic Community have since then been borne n common. The collective defence efforts of the Atlantic Powers have not been in vain. They have successfully deterred Soviet aggression in Europe and have contributed to the adoption by the Soviet Government of the so-called policy of co-existence. To the extent that this policy involves a certain easing of tension and the admission by the Government of the USSR that war is not inevitable, it is welcomed by the Atlantic Powers, who have always supported this idea. It is now possible to hope that those principles of the United Nations Charter which have regulated the relations between the peoples of the Atlantic Community may eventually also regulate the relations between the Soviet Union and the Western Powers. The reasons which gave rise to the Atlantic Alliance have not, however, disappeared. No progress has been made towards solving certain vital European problems, including the reunification of Germany in freedom, which have to be solved on a basis which would satisfy the legitimate security needs of all. The Western Powers cannot relax their vigilance until these problems have been solved and until a disarmament plan providing the necessary guarantees to all and an effective control system has been put into effect. Soviet military power continues to increase. Security remains therefore a basic problem, and the Atlantic Powers must continue to give priority to the maintenance of their unity and strength. However, present prospects seem to leave scope for further peaceful initiatives on the part of the Atlantic Powers. They are determined to pursue these initiatives with the same energy that they displayed in building up their defence organization and with which this will be maintained. They solemnly affirm that this policy will be pursued in common, and based on the unity, solidarity and co-operation of peoples, sharing common ideals and standing together in the cause of freedom. The Atlantic Council consider it timely and useful for the members of the Atlantic Community to examine actively further measures which might be taken at this time to advance more effectively their common interests. The Atlantic powers already possess in the North Atlantic Council an instrument of unity and a forum for consultation regarding policies of general interest. In order to enable the Council better to perform these tasks, the Ministers agreed to appoint a Committee of three Ministers to advise the Council on ways and means to improve and extend NATO co-operation in non-military fields and to develop greater unity within the Atlantic Community. The Committee of Three was requested to submit its report as soon as possible. In the meantime, the Council agreed: to undertake periodical examinations of the political aspects of economic problems; to strengthen economic co-operation between member count- ries, to seek to eliminate conflict in their international economic policies, and to promote conditions of stability and well-being; to instruct the permanent representatives of the Council to examine economic problems in the light of the ideas set out above and of the plan put forward by M. Pineau, Foreign Minister of France, calling upon the services of a committee of technical advisers working under their authority. The members of NATO are by their Treaty dedicated to "safeguard the freedom, common heritage and civilization of their peoples, founded on the principles of democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law". Their first seven years of working together have resulted in marked success and have strengthened the bonds between them. The members of NATO are determined to remain united and steadfast to their ideals. They face the future with confidence.