Stage one of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) was opened by the Finnish President Urho Kekkonen in Helsinki on 3 July 1973.

"Your meeting is not only a conference on security, but also a conference on co-operation," Kekkonen told the 35 Foreign Ministers assembled in the Finlandia Hall.

"Security is gained by opening gates"

"A step has been taken in the right direction," said the Finnish President, adding the oft-quoted words: "Security is not gained by erecting fences, security is gained by opening gates."

As outlined in the Final Recommendations of the Helsinki Consultations (the 'Blue Book', which was formally adopted at the start of this stage), each of the Foreign Ministers addressed the Conference, stating their countries' views on security and co-operation.

The US Secretary of State, William P Rogers, echoed President Kekkonen's sentiments when he said: "For a quarter century, division has been the dominant feature of Europe.

Lowering the barriers dividing Europe

"We all recognize that this Conference must not confirm the barriers that still divide Europe. Rather, by our support of the Final Recommendations, we have expressly undertaken to lower those barriers."

The UK Foreign Secretary, Sir Alec Douglas-Home, was concerned that history should not judge the Conference as just another diplomatic powwow.

"If we do not improve the life of ordinary people, we shall be asked, and with justice, what all our fine words and diplomatic phrases have achieved," he said.

This first stage of the CSCE ended on 7 July 1973. In September, the negotiators would move to Geneva to begin the serious business of drafting the Helsinki Final Act.