ABSTRACT
The accession of the German Federal Republic to the North Atlantic Treaty has been hailed as an event of historical impact. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization represents a community of free nations which have manifested their determination to defend the common heritage of Western civilization founded on the principles of individual liberty and the rule of law. The world may be sure that it will be the foremost concern of the Federal Government to co-operate in these fields to the best of its ability. The Federal Government is determined to strive, together with the other member states, for peace and freedom. The whole world will breathe a sigh of relief once the pressure under which it now lives is lifted by such controlled disarmament, and it will then be able to devote itself in full measure to the works of peace and progress.
