Correspondence between Nikolai Bulganin and Konrad Adenauer on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the USSR and the Federal Republic of Germany (September 13-14, 1955)

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Letter from Chancellor Adenauer to Premier Bulganin, Stating Certain Reservations at the Time of Establishing Diplomatic Relations (September 14, 1955)


Mr. President, on the occasion of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the government of the Federal Republic and the government of the USSR I state:

1. The establishment of diplomatic relations between the government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the government of the USSR does not constitute recognition of the present territorial status on both sides. The final delimitation of the German borders remains reserved to the Peace Treaty.

2. The establishment of diplomatic relations with the government of the Soviet Union does not mean a revision of the legal point of view of the Federal Government regarding its powers to represent the German nation in international affairs and with respect to the political conditions in those German territories which are at present outside of its effective sovereignty.



Source: Letter from Chancellor Adenauer to Premier Bulganin, Stating Certain Reservations at the Time of Establishing Diplomatic Relations (September 14, 1955); reprinted in Documents on Germany, 1944-1959: Background Documents on Germany, 1944-1959, and a Chronology of Political Developments affecting Berlin, 1945-1956. Washington, DC: General Printing Office, 1959, p. 156.