UN General Assembly
1955

67. The conclusion of a European treaty of collective security would open the way to a settlement of the German problem by the unification of Germany in a single, democratic and peaceful State. Pending that, the two parts of Germany — the German Democratic Republic and the German Federal Republic — could co-operate within a European system of collective security. The absence of such a system and the ratification of the Paris Agreements providing for the re-militarization of Western Germany were bound to lead to an act of self-defence on the part of the countries threatened. This was the Warsaw Treaty, which will cease to be in force as soon as a system of collective security is set up in Europe. 68. The need for regional collective security pacts is not confined to Europe. It is coming to be felt in other parts of the world too. A collective security pact in the Far East, mooted by the People’s Republic of China, would help to settle important problems in Asia.