Rumanian-Bulgarian Treaty of 1970 on Friendship, Cooperation, and

a treaty signed on Nov. 19, 1970, in Sofia. The Socialist Republic of Rumania was represented by N. Ceauşescu, general secretary of the Rumanian Communist Party and chairman of the State Council, and by I. G. Maurer, chairman of the Council of Ministers. The People’s Republic of Bulgaria was represented by T. Zhivkov, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party and chairman of the Council of Ministers, and by G. Traikov, chairman of the Presidium of the National Assembly. The treaty was concluded for 20 years.

The Rumanian-Bulgarian Treaty of 1970 reaffirmed the principles of the Bulgarian-Rumanian Treaty of 1948 and reiterated the two countries’ resolve to strengthen the unity and cohesion of the socialist countries. Both sides expressed their willingness to pursue a policy of peaceful coexistence between states with different social systems, to work for mutual understanding and cooperation in the Balkans and the entire world, and to oppose the forces of imperialism, militarism, and revanche, which are threatening peace. The two countries agreed to strengthen the friendship between the Rumanian and Bulgarian peoples and to promote political, economic, social, scientific, and cultural cooperation on the basis of socialist internationalism, respect for national independence and sovereignty, equality, mutual advantage, comradely aid, and noninterference in each other’s domestic affairs. Both sides declared that they would promote the strengthening of economic relations and cooperation within the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance, as well as with other socialist states.

Rumania and Bulgaria pledged to make every effort to bring about a relaxation of international tension, cooperation among all states, the peaceful settlement of disputes, the foiling of the aggressive plans of imperialism, a cessation of the arms race, general and total disarmament, and the abolition of colonialism and neocolonialism. Both sides pledged to support the countries that have freed themselves from colonial rule and to work for the strengthening of peace and security in Europe and for the creation of an effective European security system. The two countries reaffirmed the inviolability of the national boundaries that were established in Europe after World War II and resolved to ensure, in conformity with the Warsaw Pact of 1955, the inviolability of the borders of the pact’s member-states. Both sides pledged that in the event of an armed attack on one of them by a country or group of countries, they would immediately render each other all possible assistance, including military aid.

The two countries agreed to keep each other informed of their experience in building socialism, to exchange views on the development of bilateral relations, and to consult each other on major international problems of mutual interest.