VVhile talks on a non-aggression agreement were being conducted in Moscow and Warsaw, Bonn and Berlin (East), too, explored the possibilities of improving relations. On 19 March 1970 the heads of government of both German states, Willy Brandt and Willi Stoph, met for the first time in Erfurt. This was followed by another meeting on 21 May 1970 in Kassel. On 12August 1970 a treaty on the renunciation of force and recognition of the status quo was signed in Moscow. Both sides proclaimed that they had no territorial claims against “anyone”. In a “letter on German unity” presented to the Soviet Government in Moscow, the Federal Republic stated that the treaty did not contradict its aim of working towards a state of peace in Europe “in which the German people will regain their unity in free self-determination”.

On 7 December of that year the Treaty of Warsaw was signed, which reaffirmed the inviolability of the existing border (the Oder-Neisse line). Warsaw and Bonn, too, gave an assurance that they had no territorial claims against one another and declared their intention of improving mutual cooperation. In an “information” document on humanitarian measures, Warsaw agreed to the transfer of ethnic Germans from Poland and the reunion of separated families by the Red Cross.

In order to pave the way for the ratification of those treaties, France, the United Kingdom, the United States and the Soviet Union signed the Quadripartite Agreement on Berlin which stated that the Western sectors of Berlin were not a constituent part of the Federal Republic but that Bonn was entitled to represent them. ln addition, the “ties” between the Western sectors of Berlin and the Federal Republic were to be improved and relations between Berlin (East)/GDR and Berlin (West) developed (signing of the Transit Agreement on >7 December). Germany’s efforts to foster peace and etente received worldwide recognition which culminated in the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Willy Brandt(i97i).