Ministerial Communiqué Brussels 7th-8th Jun 1966

Final Communiqué Chairman : Mr. M. Brosio. Synopsis State of the Alliance - Measures following from the French withdrawal European security and Germany - Defensive nature of the Treaty - European settlement problems - Report on East- West relations to be prepared Nuclear proliferation - Cyprus "watching brief" - Economic co-operation - Developing countries - Assistance to Greece and Turkey - Defence Ministers - Science and technology.

The Council met in Ministerial Session in Brussels, 7th and 8th June, 1966. The Council reviewed the state of the Alliance. After a frank exchange of views, Ministers agreed that the maintenance of the Atlantic Alliance is as necessary today as ever, in order to safeguard the freedom and the common heritage of their peoples founded on the principles of democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law. The first aim of the Atlantic Alliance is the common defence of all member countries; to this end its members are pledged, separately and jointly, by means of continuous and effective self-help and mutual aid, to maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack. Ministers agreed to examine, in the light of the principles and obligations of the Treaty, and in co-operative manner, the problems raised by the French memoranda of last March, in order to reach as soon as possible solutions acceptable to all concerned and which assure continued security. At this meeting the Council: noted the statement made by Mr. Luns on the discussions which had taken place on 6th June among fourteen Ministers; agreed to transfer the military headquarters of NATO from France; extended a unanimous invitation to the Benelux countries to provide a new site for SHAPE; agreed that some simplification of the Command Structure should be carried out. This will be achieved in the first instance in the Center by combining under a single commander and in one headquarters the staffs now divided between the headquarters of the Commander-in-Chief, Central Europe, and the Commanders-in-Chief of the Land and Air Forces in Central Europe. This headquarters will be moved to a new location either in Benelux or Germany; agreed that further studies will be necessary in order to establish the precise requirements and the possibilities of hospitality in the different countries, noted that the Benelux countries, the Federal Republic, the Secretary General and the NATO Military Authorities had been requested to undertake these studies forthwith; and further noted that as soon as the required information was available, final decisions would have to be taken as a matter of urgency; extended a unanimous invitation to Italy to provide a new site for the NATO Defence College; agreed that the Standing Group will be abolished and replaced by appropriate alternative arrangements, including an integrated International Military Staff; noted the statement by Mr. Luns in connection with the site of the Council and also the statement of the French Foreign Minister on this subject. With regard to the procedures for negotiation, Ministers agreed that: the questions which need to be settled jointly between the Allies as a consequence of French communications will in the first instance be discussed in the Council in Permanent Session; prominent among these questions are the tasks and missions of French forces in Germany, including their co-operation with NATO forces and command arrangements; other questions such as French participation in NADGE and NATO infrastructure projects will be discussed in the same way; the Council in Permanent Session may, of course, make any arrangements it wishes for discussion of these questions. It may, for example, decide to set up smaller groups to deal with some or all of the questions. When the political problems have been discussed and sufficient agreement reached on them, the elaboration of the necessary military arrangements will be referred to discussions between the French High Command and SACEUR; if the Council in Permanent Session can make no progress, discussion will be resumed at Ministerial level. In reviewing the international situation Ministers discussed the relations of their countries with the Soviet Union and the East European countries. In view of the basic aims of the Soviet Union, the level of its armed forces, and its continuing allocation of a high proportion of economic and technological resources for military purposes, the Ministers concluded that it is imperative for the West to maintain adequate forces for deterrence and defence. Ministers had an extended discussion about the main problems affecting European security. They reaffirmed the terms of their declaration of 16th December, 1958 with regard to Berlin. They regretted the absence of progress on the important question of German reunification and the continued attempts to discredit the Federal Republic of Germany. Taking note of the positive initiative taken by the German Government in their note of 25th March 1966, Ministers reaffirmed that the solution of the German problem is one of the central issues in East-West relations, and they agreed on the necessity of a continued and unrelenting search for a peaceful solution that would give satisfaction to the German people's fundamental right to reunification. The defensive nature of the North Atlantic Treaty is indisputable. It is clearly stated in the undertaking by the signatories to uphold the principles of the United Nations Charter by refraining from the use of force to settle international disputes. Furthermore, the defensive character of the Alliance has been repeatedly proved by the restraint and moderation shown by its members in the last seventeen years, even when confronted by provocation and hostile actions affecting the Treaty area. Owing to the conditions of security created and maintained by an effective common defence of the North Atlantic area, political consultation among partners allows initiatives to be taken which can contribute not only to the stability of East-West relations but also to the general well-being of mankind. If progress is to be made with regard to the complex problems of a European settlement, a determination to resolve the issues must exist on all sides. The peaceful ending of the division of Europe remains a principal purpose of the Alliance, the objective being a Europe that will once again be one, and a Germany that will once again be united. Meanwhile, member countries are seeking further to improve relations between the peoples of Eastern Europe and Western Europe, and to diminish mutual suspicions and fears. They are convinced that further tangible results could now be obtained in the cultural, economic, scientific and technical fields. Ministers directed the Permanent Representatives to continue to examine closely the prospects of healthy developments in East-West relations, and to prepare a full report on these questions for meetings to be attended, as far as is practicable, by the Foreign Ministers of the various countries. This report, which should deal with all possible initiatives in this field, would cover, inter alia, problems connected with European security and German reunification. Ministers expressed their continuous interest in progress towards general, complete and controlled disarmament. They expressed great concern over the problem of nuclear proliferation in its world-wide implications and their determination to continue their efforts to solve this problem. In particular, the governments concerned in the 18-Power Geneva Conference reaffirmed their intention to do their utmost to achieve positive results. With regard to Greek-Turkish relations, Ministers took note of the Secretary General's report on the "Watching Brief" and confirmed their support for the continuation of his activities in this respect. They welcomed the announcement made by the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Turkey to the effect that "the Governments of Greece and Turkey, inspired by a sincere desire to facilitate a peaceful and agreed solution of the Cyprus problem and to improve their relations, have decided to proceed to contacts and exchanges of views on the Cyprus question and on Greek Turkish relations. The procedure to be followed during these contacts will be decided in common". The Ministers reiterated their appreciation of thecontinued presence of the United Nations Force in Cyprus and expressed their support of the efforts of the United Nations for safeguarding peace and improving the situation in the island. Ministers reaffirmed their desire to promote economic co-operation in the spirit of Article 2 of the North Atlantic Treaty. They acknowledged the need to join efforts in order to promote research in the scientific, technical and production fields, and achieve a wider co-operation and exchange of information so that in a world of rapid scientific progress the gap in technological achievement between Europe and North America can be narrowed. All economically advanced countries, those of East and West alike, have a common responsibility to co-operate in attacking the fundamental problems confronting the developing countries. Progress towards political settlements and disarmament will contribute to this end by releasing resources and energies which are so badly needed for the advancement of human welfare. The Council, agreeing that efforts should be continued to supply Greece and Turkey with defence assistance within the framework of the Alliance, in order to help them maintain an effective contribution to the common defence, adopted a resolution recommending wider participation in this aid program. Ministers received a progress report on the activities of the Special Committee of Defence Ministers which was created by the Council in 1965. A further report will be submitted to the Council during the Ministerial session in December. In view of the importance of science and technology to the military strength of the Alliance and the economic vitality of its members, Ministers noted with satisfaction the recently agreed improvements in procedures for co-operation among members of the Alliance in research, development and production of military equipment. They encouraged member countries to bring suitable projects forward for co-operative action. They noted that a meeting of Defence Ministers will be convened in July to review and carry forward the institution of Force Planning procedures for projecting and adjusting annually a five-year program. A meeting of the Council at Ministerial level will be held in December 1966.