Description

This historical study deals with the role of the neutral and non-aligned states in the making of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE). It is based on a multi-archival and multi-national approach and brings to light the emergence of a group of non-bloc states acting together in European Cold War diplomacy. The European neutral and non-aligned states from the very beginning took an active part in the multilateral negotiations that led to the signing of the Helsinki Final Act in 1975. Their role in the making of this document was twofold: On the one hand they acted as initiators of specific proposals, which were of key interest to them, on the other hand, they often co-ordinated and mediated the necessary compromises between East and West in their capacity as go-betweens. This study highlights key moments such as the Finnish CSCE-initiative of May 1969, the creation of the famous basket-concept, the first commonly stipulated neutral and non-aligned proposal on military confidence-building measures, and their role in the bringing about of the package deal, which broke the negotiation deadlock in summer 1974 and made possible the signing of a final document one year later in Helsinki.