Helsinki Accords

Helsinki Accords, final act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, which began in 1972, on Aug. 1, 1975, by the United States, Canada, the USSR and 35 European countries. Though nonbinding, it outlines a broad basis for peaceful relations in Europe, particularly between Western and Eastern (Soviet bloc) European nations, including the promise of 21 days notice of military maneuvers by more than 25,000 troops, respect for human rights, and recognition of existing European frontiers. Each side later accused the other of violating these accords. In Sept. 1983, nonetheless, 35 foreign ministers met in Madrid to mark the end of 3 years of negotiations on a document to augment the 1975 accords.