Bulgarian People's Republic-German Democratic Republic Treaty of

a treaty signed in Sofia on Sept. 7, 1967, by T. Zhivkov, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party and chairman of the BPR Council of Ministers, and by G. Traikov, chairman of the Presidium of the BPR National Assembly, for Bulgaria, and by W. Ulbricht, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany and chairman of the GDR State Council, and by W. Stoph, chairman of the GDR Council of Ministers for the GDR. It was concluded for a period of 20 years. Both sides pledged to develop and strengthen friendship and cooperation in all fields; ensure the mutual rapprochement of the national economies of the two states; promote the further development of cooperation within the framework of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance; strengthen the cohesiveness of the world socialist system; pursue a policy of peaceful coexistence between states with different social systems; and wage a struggle for the safeguarding of peace and security throughout the world, a reduction of international tension, cessation of the arms race, attainment of universal and complete disarmament, the creation of an effective European security system, and the final liquidation of the colonialist system. Both states expressed the firm resolve, in accordance with the principles of the Warsaw Pact of 1955, to ensure the inviolability of the boundaries of the two states, including the boundary between the GDR and the Federal Republic of Germany. In the event that one of the parties comes under armed attack by some state or group of states, the other party will immediately provide it with all possible assistance, including military assistance, and will provide support by all other means at its disposal. The parties consider West Berlin an autonomous political entity. The two parties committed themselves to consult each other on all important questions that concern the interests of the two states and to coordinate their positions. In the event of the emergence of a single, peace-loving, democratic German state, a revision of the treaty may follow if one of the contracting parties so desires.