Bulgarian-Hungarian Treaty of 1969 on Friendship, Cooperation, and

signed in Sofia on July 10 by T. Zhivkov, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party and chairman of the Council of Ministers of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria, for Bulgaria, and J. Kádár, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Hungarian Socialist Workers’ Party (HSWP) and member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the HSWP, and J. Fock, chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Hungarian People’s Republic, for Hungary.

The Bulgarian-Hungarian Treaty of 1969 was concluded for a period of 20 years. The two countries noted the exceptionally important role of the Bulgarian-Hungarian Treaty of 1948, the experience and results of socialist construction in the two countries, and the changes that had taken place in Europe and the world. In conformity with the principles of socialist internationalism, they pledged to continue strengthening their friendship and close cooperation on the basis of equality, sovereignty, and noninterference in each others’ domestic affairs. They further pledged to continue to act in the spirit of strengthening the unity, cohesion, friendship, and brotherhood of the socialist countries, coordinate national economic plans, broaden the specialization and cooperation of production, and promote cooperation within the framework of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance.

Bulgaria and Hungary expressed the desire for a lessening of international tension, the cessation of the arms race, the achievement of universal and total disarmament, and the definitive liquidation of colonialism and neocolonialism. They agreed to continue their efforts to defend peace throughout the world and the security of all peoples from the attempts of the aggressive forces of imperialism and reaction. Article V of the treaty states that in pursuing the policy of peaceful coexistence, the parties will strive to ensure peace in Europe and create an effective European security system, a major condition of which is the inviolability of existing European frontiers.

In conformity with the Warsaw Pact of 1955, Bulgaria and Hungary expressed a determination to ensure the inviolability of the frontiers of the member states of this pact, adopt all necessary measures to prevent aggression by any forces of imperialism, militarism, and revanchism and repel any aggressor. In conformity with the Warsaw Pact and Article 51 of the UN Charter (which recognizes the inalienable right to individual and collective defense), the two parties pledged to give each other any possible aid, including military aid, in case of armed attack by any state or group of states. Bulgaria and Hungary agreed to consult each other on all important international questions and act in concert and in accordance with their mutual interests.