GHDI logo


The Moscow Treaty (August 12, 1970)

In addition to normalizing relations with East Germany, the West German government began negotiations with the Soviet foreign minister. The Moscow Treaty of August 1970 stressed the principle of the renunciation of force and recognized Europe’s postwar borders.

print version     return to document list previous document      next document

page 1 of 2


The High Contracting Parties,
in an effort to contribute to strengthening peace and security in Europe and the world,
convinced that peaceful cooperation among the states on the basis of the goals and principles of the charter of the United Nations corresponds to the ardent wishes of the nations and the general interests of international peace,
acknowledging the fact that the agreed-upon measures they have previously implemented, in particular the conclusion of the agreement of September 13, 1955, on the establishment of diplomatic relations, have created favorable conditions for important new steps to further develop and strengthen their mutual relations,
wishing to find in the form of a treaty an expression of their resolve to improve and extend the cooperation between them, including economic relations and scientific, technical, and cultural contacts, in the interest of both countries,
have concluded the following agreement:

Article 1
The Federal Republic of Germany and the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics regard it as an important objective of their policies to maintain international peace and to achieve détente. They affirm their endeavor to promote the normalization of the situation in Europe and the development of peaceful relations among all European countries, on the basis of the actual situation existing in this region.

Article 2
The Federal Republic of Germany and the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics shall be guided in their mutual relations and in questions of ensuring European and international security by the aims and principles laid down in the charter of the United Nations. Accordingly, they shall resolve their disputes by peaceful means only and assume the obligation, in matters affecting security in Europe and international security, as well as in their own mutual relations, to refrain from threat or use of force, in accordance with Article 2 of the charter of the United Nations.

Article 3
In accordance with the aforementioned aims and principles, the Federal Republic of Germany and the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics share the realization that peace in Europe can only be maintained if no one encroaches upon the present borders.
– They oblige themselves to respect unconditionally the territorial integrity of all countries in Europe within their present borders;
– they declare that they have no territorial claims against anyone nor will they assert any such claims in the future;
– they regard, today and in the future, the borders of all countries in Europe as inviolable in the form that they exist on the day of the signing of this treaty, including the Oder-Neisse line, which forms the western border of the People’s Republic of Poland, and the border between the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic.

first page < previous   |   next > last page