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Stage II of Helsinki negotiations begins
Flags of the 55 OSCE participating States at the Hofburg Congress Centre in Vienna. (OSCE)
When: 18 September 1973
Where: Geneva
Experts from the 35 participating States engaged in the first ever multilateral East-West negotiation process, producing the CSCE Final Act.
The Act, also known as the Helsinki Accords, was signed by the Heads of State or Government of the 35 States on 1 August 1975, the last day of the Helsinki Summit (Stage III). Forming the backbone of the Organization's activities, the Final Act outlines ten fundamental principles:
- sovereign equality, respect for the rights inherent in sovereignty
- refraining from the threat or use of force
- inviolability of frontiers
- territorial integrity of States
- peaceful settlement of disputes
- non-intervention in internal affairs
- respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms (including the freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief)
- equal rights and self-determination of peoples
- co-operation among States
- fulfillment in good faith of obligations under international law
Links
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Helsinki Final Act
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Stage I of the CSCE - Final Recommendations of the Helsinki Consultations adopted
The CSCE formally opened in Helsinki on 3 July 1973. In this first stage, which lasted until 7 July, 35 Foreign Ministers from all of Europe (except Albania), the USA and Canada adopted the Final Recommendations on the Helsinki Consultations. -
Stage II of Helsinki negotiations finish
Stage II of the CSCE negotiations in Helsinki began on 18 September 1973 and represented the substantive working phase. -
Helsinki Summit - Beginning of Stage III of the CSCE negotiations
The beginning of the 1975 Helsinki Summit marked the conclusion of the formative stages of the CSCE. -
Helsinki Final Act signed by 35 participating States
The Helsinki Final Act, which was prepared during Stage II of the Helsinki negotiations, lasting from September 1973 to July 1975, was signed by 35 States at the Helsinki Summit - stage III of the Helsinki negotiations.