Ministerial Communiqué London 11th-12th May 1965

Final Communiqué Chairman: Mr. M. Brosio. Synopsis Causes of tension - Progress of political consultation - Situations outside the NATO area - Cyprus "watching brief" - United Nations Disarmament - Defence Ministers to meet in June - Three-Power Declaration on Germany.

The North Atlantic Council held its Spring Ministerial Meeting in London on 11th and 12th May, 1965. In a comprehensive survey of the international scene, Ministers noted that so far as Europe was concerned, the situation was basically unchanged. There had been no major crisis or confrontation, and the trend towards increased contacts between East and West had continued. Nevertheless, the fundamental causes of tension still persist and little if any progress has been made towards removing them. Germany is still divided, and recent interferences with freedom of communication with Berlin have once again shown the dangers of this situation. In these circumstances, the Council associated itself with the Declaration issued by the Governments of France, the United Kingdom and the United States of America on 12th May, 1965 (which is attached as an Annex to this Communiqué). At the same time, the Council confirmed the terms of its Declaration of 16th December, 1958, with regard to Berlin. Member states are determined to work together, in accordance with the fundamental principles of the Alliance, for peace, freedom and the rule of law. They remain ready to seize any opportunity for achieving progressively a genuine improvement in relations with the Soviet Union and the countries of Eastern Europe. Ministers agreed on the continuing necessity within the Alliance of exchanging information and views to the greatest extent possible, and of maintaining the maximum degree of harmonization in the policies pursued by member countries. Ministers welcomed the continuing progress in political consultation within the Alliance. They observed with satisfaction that the practice had become more frequent of Ministers and high officials from capitals attending regular meetings of the Council in Permanent Session for discussion of subjects of special interest. They also noted that the Council in Permanent Session had embarked on the study of the state of the Alliance which it had been directed, at the last Ministerial meeting, to undertake. They instructed the Permanent Representatives to continue the examination of this question with a view to submitting to Ministers suggestions which could be discussed, if appropriate, at the December Ministerial Meeting. The Ministers reviewed comprehensively the international situation with particular attention to areas of tension or conflict such as Malaysia, Vietnam, the Dominican Republic and some African States, where grave threats have arisen to international security and peace. They reaffirmed the right of all peoples to live at peace under governments of their own free choice. With regard to Greek-Turkish relations, Ministers took note of the Secretary General's report on the "Watching brief" which he continues to hold in conformity with the decision taken by Ministers at The Hague meeting. In the course of the Ministerial Meeting, contacts took place between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Greece and Turkey. Taking note of this, the Council expressed its satisfaction and its desire that these contacts should continue in a constructive spirit with a view to normalizing relations between these two member countries and promoting an improvement in the situation in Cyprus by assisting the efforts of the United Nations Force in Cyprus. It also expressed the hope that the search for an agreed and equitable solution of the Cyprus problem, in conformity with the relevant resolution of the United Nations Security Council, would thus be facilitated. The hope was expressed that, without prejudging the legal and political position of any member country, an early solution would be found to the difficulties facing the United Nations, in order that the world organization might be enabled to play its proper role in helping to preserve international peace and security. Ministers reaffirmed their interest in the stability and the economic and social welfare of the developing countries. Ministers expressed their regret that so little progress had been made towards disarmament. For their part, they will continue to press for active negotiations to achieve measures of disarmament under effective international control. They also emphasized the importance they attach to preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons. So long as the threat of aggression, direct or indirect, persists, the prime task of the Atlantic Alliance will be to maintain a defensive posture adequate to deter attack and meet it effectively should the need arise. The Council expressed the hope that the meeting of Defence Ministers to be held in Paris on 31st May and 1st June would lead to further progress in elucidating the complex and inter-related problems of strategy, force requirements, and resources. A meeting of the Council at Ministerial level will be held in Paris in December 1965.