On August 1, 1975, in Helsinki, the heads of state and government of 35 nations sign the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE). All European countries (except Albania), plus the United States and Canada, join the agreement.
The ten Helsinki Principles
The Final Act establishes ten fundamental principles for relations between states:
1. Sovereign equality and respect for rights inherent in sovereignty
2. Refraining from the threat or use of force
3. Inviolability of frontiers
4. Territorial integrity of States
5. Peaceful settlement of disputes
6. Non-intervention in internal affairs
7. Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms
8. Equal rights and self-determination of peoples
9. Cooperation among States
10. Fulfillment in good faith of obligations under international law
Historical significance
The agreement was initially seen as a Soviet victory, as it seemed to legitimize Moscow's control over Eastern Europe. In reality, the human rights clauses (the "third basket") became a fundamental tool for dissidents in communist countries and contributed to the collapse of the USSR.
Current relevance
The Soviet Union — and subsequently Russia as the successor state — signed and committed to respecting these principles. Russian actions in Georgia (2008), Crimea (2014), and the invasion of Ukraine (2022) directly violate Principles II, III, and IV of the Helsinki Act:
- Principle II: "The participating States will refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State"
- Principle III: "The participating States regard as inviolable all one another's frontiers as well as the frontiers of all States in Europe"
- Principle IV: "The participating States will respect the territorial integrity of each of the participating States"
The Helsinki Act is not a legally binding treaty, but represents a solemn political commitment. Its systematic violation by Russia undermines the entire European security system built after the Cold War.