INTRODUCTION. Ineke Deserno NATO Archivist

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Adrian Fisher
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1 INTRODUCTION The accession of the Federal Republic of Germany to NATO was cause for great celebration in Extending the invitation to Germany to accede to the North Atlantic Treaty was a highly symbolic expression of the hopes and aspirations of the Alliance for a renewed vision of Euro-Atlantic peace and security amidst the heated backdrop of the Cold War. To mark the 60th anniversary of this historic accession, the NATO Archives is putting the spotlight on the formal documents and ceremonies that marked Germany s integration into the Euro-Atlantic family. Archival photos originally taken during the invitation and accession ceremonies at the Ministerial Meetings in October 1954 and May 1955, respectively, have been selected and arranged to present a unique visual record of how the Alliance came together in a spectacular public display of unity to welcome their 15th member. The NATO Archives is particularly pleased to draw from its vaults the original signed protocol of accession for Germany, reproduced here in its entirety to serve as a documentary reminder of the long-lasting commitments made by all the signatories at this historic juncture. Special thanks go to the Office of Treaty Affairs at the U.S. Department of State for providing the excellent facsimile of the original instrument of accession by Germany to the North Atlantic Treaty. This rarely seen historical document, originally deposited in Washington DC on 6 May 1955 and now preserved in the archives of the State Department, is reproduced here with the kind permission of the German Delegation to NATO. I hope the images and documents presented in the following pages help to communicate the sense of excitement, majesty and magnitude that was associated with Germany s formal accession to NATO. Should you wish to learn more about the complex discussions, consultations and negotiations that led to this momentous occasion, I invite you to consult the original (and now publicly disclosed) NATO documents on the subject in the NATO Archives Reading Room or on NATO Archives Online. Ineke Deserno NATO Archivist 1

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3 THE HISTORIC DOCUMENTS OF THE ACCESSION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY TO NATO

4 4 DECLASSIFIED - PUBLIC DISCLOSURE / DÉCLASSIFIÉ - MISE EN LECTURE PUBLIQUE

5 DECLASSIFIED - PUBLIC DISCLOSURE / DÉCLASSIFIÉ - MISE EN LECTURE PUBLIQUE 5

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8 THE NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS Belgium: Paul-Henri Spaak Canada: Lester B. Pearson Denmark: Hans Christian Hansen France: Pierre Mendès-France Greece: Stephanos Stephanopoulos Iceland: Kristinn Gudmundsson Italy: Gaetano Martino Luxembourg: Joseph Bech Netherlands: Johan Willem Beyen Norway: Halvard Lange Portugal: Paulo Cunha Turkey: Fuat Köprülü United Kingdom: Anthony Eden United States: John Foster Dulles 8

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17 DECLASSIFIED - PUBLIC DISCLOSURE / DÉCLASSIFIÉ - MISE EN LECTURE PUBLIQUE 17

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25 THE 16 TH MINISTERIAL MEETING AT NATO HEADQUARTERS PALAIS DE CHAILLOT, PARIS 9 MAY 1955

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27 DECLASSIFIED - PUBLIC DISCLOSURE / DÉCLASSIFIÉ - MISE EN LECTURE PUBLIQUE 27

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33 The red, black and gold flag of the Federal Republic of Germany flies for the first time in the front courtyard of NATO Headquarters. 33

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35 THE ARRIVAL OF THE MINISTERS

36 36 Chancellor Konrad Adenauer of the Federal Republic of Germany arrives for his first North Atlantic Council Meeting.

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41 The Canadian Secretary of External Affairs Mr. Lester B. Pearson, an original signatory of the North Atlantic Treaty. 41

42 42 Joseph Bech, the Prime Minster and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg.

43 Hans Christian Hansen, Prime Minster and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. 43

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45 John Foster Dulles, the American Secretary of State and firm believer in the importance of international mutual security. 45

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49 Harald Macmillan, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom. Within two years, he would become Prime Minster of the United Kingdom. 49

50 50 Antoine Pinay, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of France, checks in.

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52 52 The ever-suave Gaetano Martino, the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Italy.

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54 54 Paul-Henri Spaak, the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs who would become the second Secretary General of NATO.

55 THE DELEGATES LOUNGE

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71 Chancellor Adenauer chats with Johan Willem Beyen, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Netherlands, outside of the North Atlantic Council meeting room. 71

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83 INSIDE THE COUNCIL ROOM

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103 The Deputy Secretary General of NATO Jonkheer van Vrendenburgh (left, sitting in for the absent Secretary General Lord Ismay) with the Chairman of the Council, Greek Foreign Minister Stephan Stephanopoluos. 103