UN General Assembly
1971

134. No continent throughout its history has had to suffer the terrible consequences of the use of force as much as Europe. It is therefore understandable that Austria, located at the center of that continent and particularly affected by the conflagrations of past decades, should regard the maintenance of peace, stability and security in Europe as one of the principal concerns of its foreign policy. We consequently welcome all efforts towards strengthening security in Europe. We therefore welcomed last year the signing of the treaties between the Soviet Union, Poland and the Federal Republic of Germany and we now welcome the signing on 3 September of the Quadripartite Agreement on Berlin as significant steps in this direction. 135. The time now appears ripe to proceed to more active preparation of a conference on security and co-operation in Europe. We continue to give our full support to such a conference, 136. Austria's desire to create a climate of mutual confidence in its part of Europe has been and continues to