aug 1, 1975 - The Helsinki Accords

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33 NATO and Warsaw Pact nations met together in the spirit of building on SALT 1. They met in Helsinki where after more years of negotiations, more complex agreements were made to limit the threat of the Cold War.

Three 'baskets' of agreements were agreed on:

BASKET ONE: Borders of countries cannot be challenged and are to be accepted. West and East Germany were finally accepted by both sides.

BASKET TWO: Both sides were to work together to improve relations. This would involve trade deals, technology exchanges and a joint space mission.

BASKET THREE: Both sides should respect human rights, freedom of speech, religion and freedom of movement in Europe.

Outcomes:
1) The USSR was extremely pleased that the borders of its satellite states and the USSR were formally agreed by the USA.
2) The sides gained greater trust for one another.
3) The USA was hoping that by adding basket 3 it might weaken communism in the USSR.

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