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Reaffirmation of the principles of the Washington Statement on East-West relations - Search for genuine detente - Preservation of credible deterrence in the face of continuing build up of Soviet nuclear an conventional arm - Continued validity of dete

  1. The North Atlantic Council met in Ministerial Session in Lisbon on 6th and 7th June 1985. Ministers agreed as follows:
  2. We are a defensive Alliance dedicated to the preservation of peace and the protection of freedom.
  3. Reaffirming the principles of last year's Washington Statement on East- West Relations, we remain determined to maintain both our political solidarity and the military strength necessary for our defence. On this basis, we seek genuine detente through constructive dialogue and broad cooperation with the Soviet Union and with each of the countries of Eastern Europe in all areas. We call on the new Soviet leadership to join us in seeking tangible improvements in East-West relations, which would permit us to build on areas of common interest. A positive Soviet response to the US approach at the US-Soviet negotiations recently opened in Geneva would contribute substantially towards that end.
  4. We do not seek military superiority for ourselves. None of our weapons will ever be used except in response to attack. But, faced with the continuing build up and modernisation of Soviet nuclear and conventional arms, we shall preserve credible deterrence through sufficient conventional and nuclear forces. The Allies participating in the military structure of the Alliance are making an effort to improve, in particular, their conventional capabilities. Our strategy of deterrence has proved its value in safeguarding peace; it remains fully valid. Its purpose is to prevent war and to enable us to resist intimidation.
  5. The security of the North American and European Allies is inseparable. The cohesion of the Alliance is sustained by continuous consultations on all matters affecting our common interests and security.
  6. Deterrence and defence together with arms control and disarmament are integral parts of the security policy of the Alliance. We wish to strengthen the peace by establishing a stable military balance at the lowest possible level of forces.
  7. In this spirit, we welcome the US-Soviet negotiations in Geneva on their strategic nuclear weapons, on their intermediate range nuclear weapons, and on defence and space systems. These negotiations are intended to work out between the two countries effective agreements aimed at preventing an arms race in space and terminating it on earth, at limiting and reducing nuclear arms, and at strengthening strategic stability. We strongly support US efforts in all three areas of negotiation, and we call on the Soviet Union to adopt a positive approach. The Allies concerned reiterate their willingness to modify, halt, reverse, or dispense with Longer Range INF (LRINF) deployment as part of an equitable and verifiable arms control agreement. In the absence of such an agreement, they will continue to deploy LRINF missiles on schedule. We will continue to consult closely on all of these issues. (1)
  8. We are determined to achieve progress also on other aspects of arms control and disarmament and urge the Soviet Union to work with us for balanced and verifiable agreements. In particular:
  • in the Vienna MBFR negotiations the participating Allies are seeking equal collective manpower levels through verifiable reductions in conventional forces in Europe and effective associated measures;
  • in Stockholm (CDE) we are seeking agreement on militarily significant, politically binding and verifiable confidence and security building measures covering the whole of Europe to give new, concrete effect and expression to the existing duty of all participating states to refrain from the threat or use of force;
  • in the Geneva Conference on Disarmament we seek in particular a worldwide comprehensive and verifiable ban on Chemical Weapons; we remain deeply concerned about the proliferation and use of such weapons.
  1. We attach great importance to the full implementation by all participating states of all principles and provisions enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act and to balanced progress in the CSCE process in all its aspects. The tenth anniversary of the Final Act in August 1985 should be commemorated by a meeting of the participating states at Ministerial level. We would like to see the anniversary marked by substantial progress in the CSCE process, including-meaningful results at the important meeting on Human Rights in Ottawa. We also hope for a positive exchange of views at the Cultural Forum in Budapest in the Autumn.
  2. We strongly condemn terrorism and will continue to work to eliminate this threat to our citizens and to the democratic values we hold in common.
  3. In the spirit of Article 2 of the North Atlantic Treaty, we remain fully committed to promoting the stability and well-being of our community of free nations, sharing common values. We consequently reaffirm the importance of special programmes for less favoured partners.
  4. The maintenance of a calm situation in and around Berlin, including unhindered traffic on all access routes, remains an essential element in East-West relations. We support the efforts of the Federal Republic of Germany to achieve progress in inner-German relations which can make a significant contribution to the building of confidence in Europe and benefit the German people, particularly the Berliners.
  5. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, now in its sixth year, violates fundamental principles of international law. We urge the Soviet Union to put an end to the suffering of the Afghan people, by withdrawing its troops and agreeing to a political solution restoring the independence and non-aligned status of Afghanistan. Events in Poland underscore the continuing need for genuine dialogue between the various elements of society and for national reconciliation. We, for our part, respect the sovereignty and independence of all states. We will remain vigilant and will consult on events outside the Treaty area which might threaten our common security.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain reserves his Government's position on the present Communiqué.

Footnote:

  1. Greece and Denmark reserve their positions on the INF part of this paragraph.

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In addition to the Communiqué, the Foreign Ministers decided to publish the following extracts from the Minutes of their Meeting in Lisbon on 6th and 7th June 1985.

Armaments Cooperation

Ministers examined the report by the Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD). They welcomed the decision of the CNAD, in the light of the initiative on Conventional Defence Improvements by those Allies participating in the Allied military structure, to conduct an overall analysis of means of enhancing NATO armaments cooperation. They emphasised the political importance which they attach to improving cooperation. Ministers noted progress made on air weapons programmes, the NATO Frigate Replacement Programme and the NATO Helicopter Programme, and noted also the continuing high priority which the CNAD is giving to the exploitation of Emerging Technologies both in the short and the long term. Finally, Ministers welcomed the significant progress towards a solution to the requirement for a common and secure identification system for NATO aircraft.

Economic Cooperation and Assistance Within the Alliance

Ministers took note of the Secretary General's personal report on "Economic Cooperation and Assistance within the Alliance", reviewing the economic situation and prospects of the Alliance's three less prosperous member countries, paying special attention to their needs for more aid by Allies in a position to provide it in order to help these countries overcome pressing problems inhibiting their necessary economic and defence modernization.

Terrorism

Referring to paragraph 9 of their June 1985 communiqués, Ministers strongly reaffirmed their condemnation of increasing acts- of terrorism worldwide. They noted with grave concern that these acts constitute a threat to their citizens and undermine democratic and free institutions and the conduct of normal international relations. Ministers again stressed the need for the most effective cooperation possible to prevent and suppress this scourge.

NATO Science Programme

Ministers noted with satisfaction the quality and high number of scientists benefitting from NATO's Scientific Exchange Programme. They confirmed the importance of such a programme in the context of Article 2 of the North Atlantic Treaty.
Ministers noted the deep interest shown by Greece, Portugal and Turkey in the technical and economic results obtained through the project sponsored by the NATO "Science for Stability" Programme since 1981. They also noted that a proposal for an extension of this programme is being prepared for their consideration at the December 1985 Ministerial Meeting.

The Situation in the Mediterranean

Ministers noted the report on the Situation in the Mediterranean. In view-of the actual and potential impact on Alliance Security of events in the area, they requested the Council in Permanent Session to continue to consult on the question ad to submit further reports at their future meetings.

Out-of-Area

Referring to paragraph 12 of their June 1985 communiqués, Ministers reaffirmed that events outside the Treaty area may affect their common interests as members of the Alliance. They will engage in timely consultations on such events, if it is established that their common interests are involved. Sufficient military capabilities must be assured in the Treaty area to maintain an adequate defence posture. Allies who are in a position to do so will endeavour to support those sovereign nations who request assistance in countering threats to their security and independence. Those Allies in a position to facilitate the deployment of forces outside the Treaty area may do so, on the basis of national decision.

East-West Trade

Recalling their statements in previous communiquéss, Ministers reaffirmed that trade conducted on the basis of commercially sound terms and mutual advantage, that avoids preferential treatment of the Soviet Union, contributes to constructive East-West relations. At the same time, bilateral economic relations with the Soviet Union and the countries of Eastern Europe must remain consistent with broad Allied security concerns. These include avoiding dependence on the Soviet Union, or contributing to Soviet military capabilities. Thus, development of Western energy resources should be encouraged. In order to avoid further use by the Soviet Union of some forms of trade to enhance its military strength, the Allies will remain vigilant in their continuing review of the security aspects of East-West economic relations. This work will assist Allied governments in the conduct of their policies in this field.

CEP Matters - Ministerial Guidance for Civil Emergency Planning - 1985-1989

Civil Emergency Planning is an essential element of the overall deterrent and defensive concept of NATO. It is aimed at using and mobilizing member countries' civil resources and infrastructure in support of the defence effort, and at supporting and protecting the civil population.
Civil Emergency Planning remains a national responsibility. To be effective the action of the Alliance in this field must, however, be based on maximum cooperation between capitals and at NATO level.

To this end, Ministers noted a report on the state of civil preparedness and, on that basis, issued guidance for all future Civil Emergency Planning activities within the Alliance, covering the period 1985-1989.

December Ministerial Meeting 1985

The next regular meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Ministerial Session will be held in Brussels in December 1985.