Ministerial Communiqué Paris 14th-16th Dec 1965

Final Communiqué Chairman : Mr. M. Brosio. Synopsis East-West relations - Berlin and Germany - Problems outside the NATO area - Developing countries - Disarmament and arms control - Strategic questions - Allied Command Mobile Force - Defence assistance program for Greece and Turkey - Cyprus "watching-brief" - Civil emergency planning.

The North Atlantic Council met in Ministerial session in Paris on the 14th, 15th and 16th December, 1965. In a comprehensive survey of international affairs, Ministers reviewed the whole field of East-West relations. In pursuit of their common objective of ensuring peace and security, the members of NATO have promoted and extended their contacts and exchanges with the Soviet Union and the countries of Eastern Europe. They will continue to seek an improvement in their relations with these countries. Ministers noted with satisfaction that these efforts had met with some degree of response, mainly in the sphere of bilateral relations. Although no major crises had arisen in Europe, the Soviet Union continues to oppose a settlement of the cardinal issues between East and West. Such a settlement, which must safeguard the legitimate interests of all concerned, remains one of the essential objectives of the Alliance. At the same time, Ministers also noted that the Soviet Union continues to devote an increasing share of its economic and technical resources to military purposes. In this situation Ministers emphasized their determination to maintain the unity of the Alliance and to ensure its collective defence. The Council noted with regret that no progress had been made towards overcoming the division of Germany. The accusations leveled against the Federal Republic of Germany do not make a solution any easier. Rejecting these accusations, the Council reaffirmed that a just and peaceful solution to the problem of Germany can be reached only on the basis of the right of selfdetermination. They also reaffirmed that the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany is the only German government freely and legitimately constituted and therefore entitled to speak for Germany as the representative of the German people in international affairs. With regard to Berlin, the Alliance stands by the terms of its Declaration of 16th December, 1958. Turning to problems outside the Atlantic area, Ministers noted that tension had diminished in some parts of the world. But in South-East Asia conflicts continued. With regard to Vietnam, the United States Secretary of State reaffirmed that the United States, while determined to fulfill its commitments, remained ready to enter without preconditions into negotiations to end the war. He recapitulated the views of his Government as to the basis for a peaceful settlement. The United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defence outlined British policy on the subject of Rhodesia and expressed appreciation for the support received from allied governments. He stressed the need for further concerted action by members of the Alliance. Consultations will continue not only on these problems but also on those to which several Ministers drew attention, arising out of the policies pursued by the People's Republic of China. Ministers reaffirmed the concern of their Governments for the social and economic welfare and continuing progress of the developing countries. Ministers reaffirmed that the achievement of general and complete disarmament under effective international control remained one of the principal objectives of their governments. They expressed their regret that so little progress had been made towards this end. They viewed with concern the potential danger of the spread of weapons in various parts of the world. They agreed that this problem should be kept under constant review and that the search should be continued for ways of averting the danger. Ministers welcomed the recent decision to convene periodical meetings in NATO in order to intensify the examination of detailed technical aspects of arms control and for the exploration of new possibilities for progress in disarmament. Ministers noted with satisfaction the progress made in studies of the inter-related questions of strategy, force requirements and resources, which had been imitated by Ministers at their session in Ottawa in May 1963. Force goals for the period 1966 through 1970 are being worked out, as the first of a series of steps designed to secure a closer alignment between NATO military requirements and national force plans within the agreed strategic concept of a forward defence posture. They accepted in principle the introduction of new procedures designed to improve the annual process of reviewing the defence efforts of member countries and agreeing upon their force contributions. These procedures, by projecting Alliance force goals and country plans five years ahead each year, are designed to enhance the capacity of the Alliance to adapt its defence plans to changes both in military technology and in the international situation. Ministers instructed the Council in Permanent Session to review the organizational and financial basis of the Allied Command Europe Mobile Force. The Secretary General, as Chairman of a Special Committee of Defence Ministers, made a progress report to the Council. The Ministers had a discussion on this report. Ministers approved a resolution inviting the Council in Permanent Session to set up a program for defence assistance to Greece and Turkey for 1965 with the participation of the greatest possible number of member countries, and to ensure that the commitments taken in this respect are implemented with the least possible delay. At the Ministerial Meeting in the spring of 1966, the Council in Permanent Session will report on the implementation of this program, and submit proposals for a program for 1966 in the light of relevant defence planning studies. Ministers heard a report from the Secretary General on his activities under the "Watching Brief" in regard to Greek-Turkish relations entrusted to his predecessor by the Council at their meeting in The Hague in May 1964. They confirmed their support for the activities of the Secretary General under his "Watching Brief" mission and agreed that they should continue. They also reiterated their support for the efforts of the United Nations to reduce tension in Cyprus and reaffirmed their determination to contribute to bringing about a peaceful, agreed and equitable solution of the problem in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter. The Council endorsed the Secretary General's plea for an early resumption of constructive discussions between Greece and Turkey. Ministers expressed their confidence that the parties concerned would refrain from any action prejudicial to such a solution. Against this background, the Council stressed the importance of a speedy solution to the financial and other problems involved in the continuation of the United Nations peace-keeping operation. Ministers approved a report on Civil Emergency Planning. They noted that a reappraisal of civil emergency planning is being conducted and reaffirmed the importance of such planning for the protection of the civil population. The next meeting of the North Atlantic Council at Ministerial level will be held, on the invitation of the Belgian Government, in Brussels at the end of May or beginning of June, 1966.