In his memoirs, the former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), Willy Brandt, describes the first steps of the Ostpolitik and recalls the reactions of Western countries to this opening of relations with the Eastern bloc as part of West German foreign policy.

Willy Brandt, Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) from 1966 to 1969 and Federal Chancellor from 1969 to 1974, launches a policy of openness towards the countries of Eastern Europe and develops a policy of agreements with the German Democratic Republic (GDR). This Ostpolitik earns him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1971.

In his investiture address, given on 28 October 1969 in Bonn, the German Chancellor, Willy Brandt, proposes to the German Democratic Republic (GDR) the opening of a dialogue between the two States on new bases.

Am 4. Dezember 1969 übermittelt Hans Ruete, Ministerialdirektor im Auswärtigen Amt, die Gespräche zwischen den Außenministern Deutschlands, Frankreichs, Großbritanniens und den Vereinigten Staaten über die Ostpolitik der Bundesrepublik sowie die Europäische Sicherheitskonferenz.

In April 1970, the French monthly newspaper Le Monde Diplomatique gives an account of the latest situation concerning relations between the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the countries of Eastern Europe in the early 1970s and sets out the conditions necessary for the success of the Ostpolitik pursued by the German Chancellor, Willy Brandt.

Am 10. Juni 1970 informiert Horst Blomeyer-Bartenstein, Gesandter und Vertreter des Botschafters der BRD in Frankreich, das Auswärtige Amt über die französische Haltung zur Ostpolitik der Bundesregierung.

Am 13. Juni 1970 informiert Karl-Günther von Hase, Botschafter der Bundesrepublik Deutschland in Großbritannien, das Auswärtige Amt über die britische Haltung zur Deutschland- und Ostpolitik der Bundesregierung.

In its May 1971 issue, the federalist journal L’Europe en Formation identifies both the positive effects of and the threats posed by the Ostpolitik pursued by the German Chancellor, Willy Brandt.

On 20 September 1971, in his programme for RTL radio, the journalist, Jean Ferniot, considers the implications of political rapprochement between the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the Soviet Union.

On 10 May 1972 in Bonn, at the parliamentary session in the Bundestag devoted to the debate on the ratification of the Treaties of Moscow and Warsaw, Willy Brandt, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), considers the political and historic impact of these Treaties and outlines the principles of Ostpolitik with the new prospects that it offers for the FRG’s relationship with the countries of Eastern Europe.

In spring 1972, political opinions differ in Bonn over the significance of the Treaties of Friendship signed in succession by the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) with the Soviet Union, Poland and the German Democratic Republic (GDR).

In 1972, at Easter and Whitsuntide, some 11 500 000 West Berliners cross into East Berlin in order to visit relatives and friends at crossing points like this one in Bornholmer Strasse.

On 19 November 1972, Willy Brandt, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) (on the left), and his Foreign Minister, Walter Scheel (on the right), hold a press conference in Bonn on the progress of the Ostpolitik.

On 19 and 20 May 1973, German daily newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung comments on the first official visit by Leonid Brejnev, First Secretary of the Soviet Communist Party, to the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG).

‘New look in Moscow — and in East Berlin?' In 1973, Chancellor Willy Brandt's Ostpolitik improves the image of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) in Moscow government circles.

In this interview, Egon Bahr, the former Director of the Press and Information Office of the Federal State of Berlin appointed by Willy Brandt, then Mayor of West Berlin, summarises the different stages from the early 1960s onwards in the development of Ostpolitik, or the policy of opening towards the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and the Eastern states.

In this interview, Egon Bahr, former Junior Minister to the German Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt, explains the reaction of the United States, the United Kingdom and France to the new Ostpolitik espoused by the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG).

‘Who’s working at the other end?’ In December 1969, the cartoonist Fritz Behrendt emphasises the efforts being made by the German Chancellor, Willy Brandt, to establish new relations with the Soviet Union.

Am 20. Mai 1970, wird der zwischen Egon Bahr, Staatsskretär im Bundeskanzleramt, und Walentin Falin, Abteilungsleiter im sowjetischen Außenministerium, vereinbarte Entwurf für einen Vertrag zwischen beiden Staaten vorgelegt ("Bahr-Papier").

"Il est prêt à négocier !" Le 27 mai 1970, le caricaturiste Ernst Maria Lang ironise sur l'optimisme d'Egon Bahr, secrétaire d'État à la chancellerie, qui, de retour de Moscou avec le Bahr-Papier en poche, annonce au chancelier allemand Willy Brandt que l'Union soviétique est prête à entamer, dans le cadre de l'Ostpolitik, des négociations sur ses relations avec la République fédérale d'Allemagne (RFA).

On 9 August 1970, in anticipation of the imminent signature, in Moscow, of the Treaty between Germany and the Soviet Union, the West German Socialist Party (SPD) expresses its satisfaction at the new links being forged between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Soviet Union.

On 10 August 1970, Rainer Barzel, leader of the conservative political group CSU-CDU in the Bundestag, writes a letter to German Chancellor, Willy Brandt, criticising the Germano-Soviet Treaty.

On 11 August 1970, West German Foreign Minister, Walter Scheel, replies to questions from the press relating to the signature, the following day in Moscow, of the Germano-Soviet Treaty.

On 7 August 1970, the German Government sends notes to the US, French and British Ambassadors relating to the Germano-Soviet Treaty and to the country’s new Ostpolitik.

On 11 August 1970, the US, British and French Ambassadors in Bonn confirm reception of the note relating to the signature of the Germano-Soviet Treaty, sent to them four days earlier by the German Federal Government.

From 11 to 13 August 1970, German Chancellor, Willy Brandt, and his Foreign Minister, Walter Scheel, go on an official visit to the Soviet Union. Seated around the negotiating table (on the left, from left to right): Alekseï N. Kossyguine, President of the Soviet Council of Ministers, Andreï A. Gromyko, Soviet Foreign Minister, Semen K. Zarapkin, Soviet ambassador in Bonn, and Valentin Falin, Head of European Affairs at the Soviet Foreign Ministry. On the right., German Chancellor, Willy Brandt.

The Treaty between Germany and the USSR, signed in Moscow on 12 August 1970, launched German policy vis-à-vis Eastern Europe (Ostpolitik), paving the way for the normalisation of diplomatic relations and confirming the peaceful territorial status quo between the Soviet Union and the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG).

In Moscow on 12 August 1972, the Federal Republic of Germany and the Soviet Union sign a Treaty by virtue of which both States formally recognise the geographical status quo in Europe.

On 12 August 1970, German Chancellor, Willy Brandt, makes a televised address to the German people in order to draw attention to the historic significance of the German-Soviet Treaty, signed the same day in Moscow.

On 12 August 1970, following the signing, on the same day, of the Treaty between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Soviet Union, the French Foreign Ministry publishes a communiqué relating to a note from the West German Government on the status of the four powers in Germany.

In September 1970, the French monthly newspaper Le Monde Diplomatique outlines the implications of the Treaty of Moscow in which the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the USSR recognise the territorial status quo between Germany and Poland and between the FRG and the German Democratic Republic (GDR).

In his memoirs, the former German Chancellor, Willy Brandt, recalls the signature of the German-Soviet treaty on 12 August 1970 in Moscow. Under this treaty, the two countries recognised, in particular, the inviolable nature of borders in Europe.

In 1971, Walter Scheel, Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), analyses the importance of the treaties concluded the previous year by his country with the Soviet Union and Poland in the context of the FRG’s Ostpolitik.

Egon Bahr, a junior Minister in the Brandt Government and the leading proponent of the Ostpolitik, welcomes the signing of the Treaty of Moscow between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Soviet Union on 12 August 1970 and emphasises the fundamental importance of the Treaty for the two countries and for Europe as a whole.

Am 9. Juni 1970 bilanziert Carl Werner Sanne, Vortragender Legationsrat im Bundeskanzleramt, ein Gespräch zwischen Egon Bahr, Staatssekretär im Bundeskanzleramt, und Józef Winiewicz, Stellvertretender Außenminister Polens, über die Grenzformel in einem bilateralen Vertrag.

On 19 November 1970, the Bonn Government sends notes to the US, French and British ambassadors, relating to the Germano-Polish Treaty and to the country’s new Ostpolitik. This is the text of the note sent to the French ambassador.

On 19 November 1970, the US, French and British ambassadors reply jointly to the informative note relating to the Germano-Polish Treaty, sent to them on that same day by the Bonn Government.

On 7 December 1970, in Warsaw, the Federal Republic of Germany and Poland sign a treaty in which the two States recognise each other diplomatically and acknowledge the inviolability of borders established following the 1945 Potsdam Conference by abandoning all territorial claims.

On 7 December 1970, in a televised address broadcast in Warsaw by the West German channels, Chancellor Willy Brandt emphasises the importance of the treaty concluded that same day between the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and Poland.

On 7 December 1970, in a television address broadcast from Warsaw, Willy Brandt, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), emphasises the symbolic importance for peace in Europe of his visit to Poland and of the signing, the same day, of the Treaty between the FRG and Poland, through which the two countries recognise, in particular, the inviolability of the existing frontiers.

On 7 December 1970, Józef Cyrankiewicz, President of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Poland, welcomes the signing, that day in Warsaw, of the Treaty which lays the foundations for the normalisation of diplomatic relations between Poland and the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG).

On 7 December 1970, German Chancellor, Willy Brandt, and Walter Scheel, German Foreign Minister, go on an official visit to Warsaw and stand in silent rememberance at the foot of a monument erected in memory of the unknown soldier.

In his memoirs, the former German Chancellor, Willy Brandt, recalls the signature of the German-Polish treaty, on 7 December 1970 in Warsaw, under which both countries recognised, in particular, the inviolability of existing common borders. He also remembers the symbolic importance of his kneeling before the memorial dedicated to the victims from Warsaw's Jewish ghetto.

In 1970, Walter Scheel, Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), outlines the importance of clarifying the border issue between West Germany and Poland for their future bilateral relations.

On 8 December 1970, the German daily newspaper the Süddeutsche Zeitung comments on the signing in Warsaw the previous day of the Treaty between the Federal Republic of Germany and Poland and emphasises its significance for peace in Europe.

On 8 December 1970, the day after the signing in Warsaw of the Treaty between the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and Poland, the German daily newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung comments on Willy Brandt’s genuflection before the monument erected in memory of those who perished in the city’s Jewish ghetto.

‘Signature of the year.’ On 8 December 1970, the German cartoonist Köhler portrays the Federal Republic of Germany's recognition of the new western boundaries of Poland along the ‘Oder-Neisse' line.

In this interview, Egon Bahr, former Junior Minister to the German Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt, discusses the implications of the negotiations leading to the signing of the Warsaw Treaty on 7 December 1970 between the FRG and Poland, and lays particular stress on the question of the Oder-Neisse Line.

Am 16. März 1971 legt Berndt von Staden, Ministerialdirektor im Auswärtigen Amt der BRD, einen Sprechzettel und Richtlinien zur Behandlung im Kabinett für die Gespräche mit der Tschechoslowakischen Republik vor.

On 11 December 1973, in Prague, the Federal Republic of Germany and Czechoslovakia sign a treaty in which the two States recognise each other diplomatically and declare the 1938 Munich Agreements to be null and void by acknowledging the inviolability of their common borders and abandoning all territorial claims.

The signing of the Prague Treaty by the Federal Republic of Germany and Czechoslovakia on 11 December 1973 is accompanied by an exchange of letters between the two countries' Foreign Ministers.

On 11 December 1955, Wilhelm Grewe, Director of the Policy Department of the Foreign Ministry of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), explains in a radio interview the policy that his country will adopt vis-à-vis those States which confer diplomatic recognition on the German Democratic Republic (GDR).

In 1955, the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the Soviet Union establish diplomatic relations in exchange, notably, for the liberation of the final German prisoners of war detained in the Soviet Union. In the same year, the ‘Hallstein Doctrine’, named after Walter Hallstein, State Secretary to the Foreign Minister, is established, under which the FRG refuses to maintain diplomatic relations with States that recognise the existence of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), with the exception of the Soviet Union.

‘East is East and West is West, and ne’er the twain shall meet.' In 1956, the Cold War governs relations between the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the German Democratic Republic (GDR).

On 19 October 1957, the Federal Foreign Minister, Heinrich von Brentano, sends a note to the Yugoslav Ambassador in Bonn, Dušan Kveder, announcing the end of diplomatic relations between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

In its issue of 22 October 1957, the Bulletin of the Press and Information Office of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) justifies the decision taken by the German Government to sever diplomatic relations with the Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia following that country’s official recognition of the German Democratic Republic (GDR).

On 14 January 1963, the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) delivers a note to the Cuban Government declaring the end of their bilateral diplomatic relations in retaliation against Havana’s recognition of the German Democratic Republic (GDR).

Als Reaktion auf die diplomatische Anerkennung der DDR durch Kambodscha skizziert Conrad Ahlers, stellvertretender Regierungssprecher der BRD, eine differenziertere Handhabung der Hallstein-Doktrin.

On 6 June 1969, the German daily newspaper Die Zeit deplores the inconsistencies in the policy of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) towards the countries that have recognised the German Democratic Republic (DRG) and decries the Hallstein doctrine.

On 17 December 1969, Walter Ulbricht, Chairman of the State Council of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), sends a letter to Gustav Heinemann, President of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), proposing the establishment of equal diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring States.

On 17 December 1969, the German Democratic Republic (GDR ) and the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) finalise a draft treaty intended to smooth diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring States on the basis of international law.

‘Erfurt dialogue.’ On 21 March 1970, following the meeting held in Erfurt between Willy Brandt, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), and Willi Stoph, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), the cartoonist, Ernst Maria Lang, illustrates the difficulties involved in the dialogue between the two Germanys.

On 19 March 1970, the West German Chancellor, Willy Brandt, meets his East German counterpart, Willi Stoph, in Erfurt, East Germany, to discuss how to improve relations between Bonn and Berlin.

Signed in Berlin on 3 September 1971 by representatives from France, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America and the USSR, the Quadripartite Agreement on Berlin marks a relaxation of tension in East-West relations, in particular since it guarantees civil communications between West Berlin and the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG).

On 3 September 1971, the representatives of France, the USSR, the United Kingdom and the United States sign the Four-Power Agreement on Berlin. From left to right, the French representative, Jean Sauvagnargues, the British representative, Roger Jackling, the Soviet representative, Piotr A. Abrassimov, and the US representative, Kenneth Rush.

On 3 September 1971, the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) lists the major measures included in the Four-Power Agreement on Berlin signed that day by the British, French, Soviet and US authorities.

On 3 September 1971, the German Chancellor, Willy Brandt, gives a televised address in which he outlines to his fellow countrymen the scope of the Four-Power Agreement on Berlin which guarantees in particular civilian communications between West Berlin and the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG).

On 4 September 1971, Erich Honecker, General Secretary of the German Unity Party (SED), gives an interview to the East German daily newspaper Neues Deutschland in which he comments on the main implications of the Quadripartite Agreement on Berlin, signed the previous day.

On 12 May 1980, German weekly Der Spiegel comments on the meeting between Erich Honecker, President of the GDR State Council, and Helmut Schmidt, Chancellor of the FRG, at Marshall Tito's funeral in Belgrade.

In this interview, Egon Bahr, former Junior Minister to the German Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt, explains the rapprochement that developed between the two Germanies by means of the new Ostpolitik adopted by the FRG. Firstly, he discusses the negotiations which led to the signing of the Moscow Treaty on 12 August 1970. Later, he recalls the discussions held with Michael Kohl, Junior Minister of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), which in turn led to the signing of the Basic Treaty on 21 December 1972.

On 8 November 1972, Michael Kohl, a Junior Minister in the GDR, and Egon Bahr, West German Minister without portfolio under Chancellor Willy Brandt, initial the Basic Treaty, which is to be signed in East Berlin on 21 December of the same year.

On 21 December 1972, in East Berlin, Egon Bahr, Secretary of State for the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), and Michael Kohl, Secretary of State for the German Democratic Republic (GDR), sign the Basic Treaty with a view to restoring diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring States on the basis of international law.

On 21 December 1972, Egon Bahr, adviser to Chancellor Willy Brandt, expresses satisfaction at the signature, on that day in East Berlin, of the Fundamental Treaty between the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the German Democratic Republic (GDR).

On 21 December 1972, East German Secretary of State, Michael Kohl, welcomes the signature, on that day in East Berlin, of the bilateral 'Fundamental' Treaty as a significant step in the strengthening of relations between the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG).

The Basic Treaty, signed in East Berlin on 21 December 1972 by the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the German Democratic Republic (GDR), is of great significance in the history of relations between the two neighbouring countries and in the development of the Ostpolitik, their policy towards Eastern Europe.

En décembre 1972, le mensuel français Le Monde diplomatique analyse les effets de l'Ostpolitik du chancelier allemand Willy Brandt sur les relations entre les deux Allemagne.

In his memoirs, the former German Chancellor, Willy Brandt, describes the relations between the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the German Democratic Republic (GDR) in the months preceding the signature of the bilateral basic treaty on 21 December 1972.

On 15 February 1973, the German Chancellor, Willy Brandt, announces to the Bundestag the significance of the Basic Treaty signed on 21 December 1972 between the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the German Democratic Republic (GDR).

On 15 February 1973, Willy Brandt, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), gives an address to the Bundestag in which he outlines the historic impact of the Basic Treaty between the FRG and the German Democratic Republic (GDR) signed on 21 December 1972.