The Text of the Four‐Power Agreement Governing the Status of West Berlin The New York Times

Detailed arrangements concerning this civilian traffic, as set forth in annex I, will be agreed by the competent German authorities. The four Governments will strive to promote the elimination of tension and the prevention of complications in the relevant area. The four Governments, taking into account their obligations under the Charter of the United Nations, agree that there should be no use or threat of force in the area and that disputes shall be settled solely by peaceful means. The four Governments will mutually respect their individual and joint rights and responsibilities, which remain unchanged. The four Governments agree that, irrespective of the differences in legal views, the situation which has developed in the area, and as it is defined in this Agreement as well as in the other agreements referred to in this Agreement, shall not be changed unilaterally. The Quadripartite Agreement between the former Allies illustrates the close link between Ostpolitik and Deutschlandpolitik (policies toward Eastern Europe and policies toward East Germany).

The above‐mentioned stamp will appear in all passports used by permanent residents of the Western sectors of Berlin for journeys to such countries require it. Detailed arrangements concerning travel, communications and the exchange of territory, as set forth in Annex III, will be agreed by the competent German authorities. C. The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics declares that communications between the Western sectors of Berlin and areas bordering on these sectors and those areas of the German Democratic Republic which do not border on these sectors will be improved. Permanent residents of the Western sectors of Berlin will be able to travel to and visit such areas for compassionate, family, religious, cultural or commercial reasons, or as tourists, under conditions comparable to those applying to other persons entering these areas. By August 1971, however, both East and West had clearly decided, for a complex set of reasons, that agreement was desirable. The context was the broader interest of improving Western security, Mutual and Balanced Force Requirements (MBFR) talks, Middle Eastern negotiations and Sino-American relations.

  1. The three Governments are willing, to authorize an inn crease in Soviet commercial activities in the Western sectors of Berlin as described below.
  2. They reaffirmed that this status of the special area of Berlin could not be modified unilaterally.
  3. B. Meetings of the Bundesversimmiung will not take place and plenary sessions of the Bundestat and the Bundestag will continue not to take place in the Western sectors of Berlin.
  4. Last year saw the Tripartite also implement a number of other initiatives on One Health including on Anti-Microbial Resistance.
  5. Detailed arrangements concerning this civilian traffic, as set forth in annex I, will be agreed by the competent German authorities.

It reaffirmed each country’s adherence to the Covenant of the League of Nations, the Locarno Treaties and the Kellogg-Briand Pact. After the agreement entered into force, the Soviet Union used this vague wording in an effort to loosen West Berlin’s ties with the Federal Republic of Germany. However, the agreement contributed greatly both to a reduction of tensions between East and West over Berlin and to expanded contacts between the two parts of Germany. As such, it made an important contribution to the process that resulted in the reunification of Germany in 1990. In the early months of 1971 briefing for Foreign Secretary Douglas-Home insisted Soviet proposals on Berlin were a ‘deliberate attempt to erode the Western position’ and that Allied authority must be maintained. By June, Western insistence that the idea of a European security conference was a non-starter without an acceptable Berlin agreement appeared to produce stalemate.

Thereafter, however, the pact was largely seen as ineffective, Germany and Japan having divergent interests and largely pursuing their own agendas. For example, in April 1941 Japan signed a neutrality pact with the Soviet Union, but two months later Germany invaded the communist country. Tripartite Pact, agreement concluded by Germany, Italy, and Japan on September 27, 1940, one year after the start of World War II. It created a defense alliance between the countries and was largely intended to deter the United States from entering the conflict.

B. The Governments of the French Republic, the United Kingdom and the United States of America declare that the ties between the Western Sectors of Berlin and the Federal Republic of Germany will be maintained and developed, taking into account that these Sectors continue not to be a constituent part of the Federal Republic of Germany and not to be governed by it. Detailed arrangements concerning the relationship between the Western Sectors of Berlin and the Federal Republic of Germany are set forth in annex II. Against this backdrop, officials from Germany, Italy, and Japan met in Berlin in September 1940 to devise the Tripartite Pact. It notably called on signees “to assist one another with all political, economic and military means” when any one of them was attacked by “a Power at present not involved in the European War or in the Sino-Japanese Conflict.” Such wording notably excluded the Soviet Union, which was already involved in both wars, and was thus seen as a warning to the United States against entering World War II.

D. Established procedures concerning the applicability to the Western sectors of Berlin of legislation of the Federal Republic of Germany shall remain unchanged. C. The liaison agency of the Federal Government in the Western sectors of Berlin includes departments charged with liaison functions in their respective fields. B. Meetings of the Bundesversimmiung will not take place and plenary sessions of the Bundestat and the Bundestag will continue not to take place in the Western sectors of Berlin. Single committees of the Bundesrat and the Bundestag may Meet in the Western sectors of Berlin in connection with maintaining and developing the ties between those sectors and the Federal Republic of Germany. (b) An identity card or other appropriately drawn up document confirming that the person requesting the visa is a permanent resident of the Western sectors of Berlin and containing the bearer’s full address and a personal photograph.

They declare, in the exercise of their rights and responsibilities, that the ties between the Western sectors of Berlin and the Federal Republic of Germany will be maintained and developed, taking into account that these sectors continue not to be a constituent part of the Federal Republic of Germany and not to be governed by it. The provisions of the basic law of the Federal Republic of Germany and of the Constitution operative In the Western sectors of Berlin which contradict the above have been suspended and continue to be in effect. (d) Persons identified as through travelers using individual vehicles between the Western sectors of Berlin and the Federal Republic of Germany on routes designated for through traffic will be able to proceed to their destinations without paying individual tolls and fees for the use of the transit routes.

Tripartite Pact

The consulate general will be accredited to the appropriate authorities of the three Governments in accordance with the usual procedures applying in those sectors. The activities of the consulate general will be of a consular character and will not include political functions or any metters related to quadripartite rights or responsibililes. The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics takes note of the fact that the three Governments have given their consent to the establishment of a consulate general of the U.S.S.R. in the Western sectors of Berlin.

The new Quadripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) provides a legal and formal framework for the four organizations to tackle the challenges at the human, animal, plant and ecosystem interface using a more integrated and coordinated approach. This framework will also contribute to reinforce national and regional health systems and services. In July 1969 a speech by Soviet Foreign Minister Gromyko indicated a new openness to negotiations on Berlin, and on European security as a whole, with proposals for a security conference. Meanwhile Chancellor Willy Brandt of the FRG pursued a policy of Ostpolitik, seeing advantage in changing the destructive dynamic of existing inner-German and Soviet-German relations. In August 1970, the USSR and FRG initialled a treaty agreeing not to use force in any matters affecting European security, and to respect the integrity of European states within their current frontiers. The FRG, however, said it would only ratify the Treaty if Four-Power talks on Berlin reached a successful conclusion.

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Permanent residents of the Western Sectors of Berlin will be able to travel to and visit such areas for compassionate, family, religious, cultural or commercial reasons, or as tourists, under conditions comparable to those applying to other persons entering these areas. The assignment of personnel to the consulate general and to permitted Soviet commercial organizations will be subject to agreement with the appropriate authorities of the three Governments. The number of such personnel will not exceed 20 Soviet nationals in the consulate general; 20 in the office of the Soviet foreign trade associations; one each in the bonded warehouses; six in the Intourist office; and five in the Aeroflot office. The personnel of the consulate general and of permitted Soviet commercial organizations and their dependents may reside in the Western sectors of Berlin upon individual authorization. The quadripartite agreement and the consequent agreements and arrangements of the competent German authorities referred to in this protocol settle important issues examined in the course of the negotiations and shall remain in force together.

Westpolitik and Ostpolitik

The agreement was signed by the ambassadors of the former Allied Powers on September 3, 1971, but was only implemented after the ratification of other treaties with the Eastern Bloc countries. On June 3, 1972, the foreign ministers of France, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and the United States signed the final protocol of the Quadripartite Agreement, at which point it took effect. Although the agreement did not change the status of Berlin, it guaranteed improved transit to and from West Berlin and eased travel restrictions for visitors to East Germany. The four governments expressed their satisfaction at the positive effect which the Quadripartite Agreement of 3 September 1971 has had on the situation in and around Berlin. They agreed that the strict observance and full implementation of the Agreement, which are indispensable to the continued improvement of the situation, are essential to the strengthening of detente, the maintenance of security and the development of cooperation throughout Europe.

This quadripartite agreement will enter into force on the date specified in a final quadripartite protocol to be concluded when the measures envisaged in part II of this quadripartite agreement and in its annexes have been agreed. The ‐problems of the small enclaves, including Steinstuecken, and of other small areas may be solved by exchange of territory. B. The Governments of the French Republic, the United Kingdom and the United States of America declare that the ties between the Western sectors of Berlin and the Federal Republic of Germany will be maintained and developed, taking into account that these sectors continue not to be a constituent part of the Federal Republic of Germany and not to be governed by it. Detailed arrangements concerning this civilian traffic, as set forth in Annex I, will be agreed by the competent German authorities.

Four-Power Pact

It is understood that pertinent Allied and German legislation and regulations will apply to these activities. This authorization will be extended indefinitely, subject to compliance with the provisions outlined herein. This increase will include establishment of an “Office of Soviet Foreign Trade Associations in the Western quadripartite agreement Sectors of Berlin,” with commercial status, authorized to buy and sell on behalf of foreign trade associations of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Soyuzpushnine, Prodintorg and Noyesport may each establish a bonded warehouse in the Western sectors of Berlin to provide storage and display for their goods.

Mussolini’s goal was to reduce the power of the small states in the League of Nations by a bloc of major powers. This blog gives insights into the history of government – its development, its departments and some of the roles and people involved. https://1investing.in/ As the world enters the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, with an estimated cost of $8 to 16 trillion, there is increased awareness and broad recognition of the importance of One Health as a long-term, viable and sustainable approach.

Notes

Transit traffic by road, rail and waterways through the territory of the German Democratic Republic of civilian persons and goods between the Western sectors of Berlin and the Federal Republic of Germany will be facilitated and unimpeded. It will receive the most simple, expeditious and preferential treatment provided by international practice. Fifty years ago, Ambassadors representing the 4 Occupying Powers in Germany—France, the UK, US and USSR—signed an agreement on Berlin.

And it is also
now firmly anchored on the global agenda, from the G7 and G20 to the UN Food Systems Summit. To support a global One Health Coalition, a One Health Commitment was registered at the UN Food
Systems Summit, aimed at building engagement across sectors, disciplines, and all levels of society. This commitment will help shape national agrifood systems transformation pathways as part of the Summit follow-up.