Who we are

About

The 1970s

As the process of détente gradually warmed relations between the two Cold War blocs, the time was finally ripe for a high-level rapprochement between the nations of East and West - a Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE).

After several months of preparatory talks, the CSCE opened in Helsinki in July 1973 with a meeting of Foreign Ministers. Almost two years of intense negotiations between the two sides on the text of an accord - the Helsinki Final Act - followed.

With the signing of the Act by 35 Heads of State in August 1975, a historic step forward had been taken. East and West were still divided, but mutual understanding was much greater, human rights issues were on the table, and a forum for permanent dialogue - the CSCE - had been created.

Preparatory talks for the CSCE

22 November 1972 to 8 June 1973: Preparatory talks for the CSCE are held in Dipoli, Helsinki. The talks last for over six months before concluding with a set of Final Recommendations (known as the 'Blue Book').

First stage of the CSCE, Helsinki

3-7 July 1973: The first stage of the CSCE is held in Helsinki, at which the Foreign Ministers of the 35 participating States state their positions on European security and adopt the Blue Book, launching the Helsinki process.

Second stage of the CSCE, Geneva

18 September 1973 to 21 July 1975: The working phase of the CSCE is held in Geneva. Experts from the participating States take part in the negotiations, which last for almost two years and result in the Helsinki Final Act.

Signing of the Helsinki Final Act

30 July to 1 August 1975: Thirty-five world leaders, including US President Gerald Ford and USSR Communist Party General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev, sign the Helsinki Final Act at the first CSCE Summit of Heads of State.

First Follow-up Meeting, Belgrade

4 October 1977 to 8 March 1978: To preserve the momentum generated by the CSCE, the Helsinki Final Act provided for Follow-up Meetings, the first of which was held in Belgrade in 1977-78.