[ '45-'49 | '50-'59 | '60-'69 | '70-'79 | '80-'89 | '90-'99 | '00- ] [ 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 ] 1984

	Summary In February 1984, Soviet leader Yuri Andropov dies and is succeeded by the ailing Konstantin Chernenko. Following the death of Chernenko in March 1985, the younger and more dynamic Mikhail Gorbachev comes to power. The new leader initiates a programme - perestroika - to restructure the Soviet economy which is plagued by low productivity, enormous waste, planning mistakes and constant shortages. He permits an unprecedented level of openness in public life - glasnost. Furthermore, in order to overcome conservative opposition, he begins to democratise the political system. Realising that it will be impossible to improve an economy so heavily burdened by the defence budgets, he begins to take steps to reduce defence spending and reach arms control agreements with the West.
17 Jan	Opening of the Stockholm Conference on Security and Confidence Building Measures and Disarmament in Europe (CDE).
21 Mar-30 Apr	CSCE Experts Meeting on the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes, Athens.
31 May	NATO Foreign Ministers issue the Washington Statement on East-West Relations. Additional information: NATO Ministerial Communiqués: Final Communiqué of the North Atlantic Council NATO Ministerial Communiqués: Washington Statement on East-West Relations High resolution photos of the North Atlantic Council Meeting
7-9 June	Summit meeting in London. Heads of State and Government of the seven major industrialised countries issue a declaration on East-West Relations and Arms Control.
12 June	Foreign Ministers of the seven countries of the Western European Union meeting in Paris decide to reactivate the WEU.
25 June	Lord Carrington (the United Kingdom) succeeds Joseph Luns as Secretary General of NATO. Additional information: NATO Who is who?: Secretary General Lord Carrington High resolution photos of the appointment of Secretary General Lord Carrington
16-26 Oct	CSCE Seminar on Economic, Scientific and Cultural Cooperation in the Mediterranean, Venice.
26-27 Oct	Foreign and Defence Ministers of the member countries of the Western European Union publish the Rome Declaration announcing their decision to increase cooperation within the WEU.
7 Dec	Presentation by the Secretary General of NATO of the first Atlantic Award to Per Markussen (Denmark), for his contribution over many years to the objectives of the Atlantic Alliance.