Treaty of Dunkirk

Treaty of Alliance and Mutual Assistance between His Majesty in respect of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the President of the French Republic. Signed at Dunkirk, on 4 March 1947

His Majesty The King of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Emperor of India, and

The President of the French Republic,

Desiring to confirm in a Treaty of Alliance the cordial friendship and close association of interests between the United Kingdom and France;

Convinced that the conclusion of such a Treaty will facilitate the settlement in a spirit of mutual understanding of all questions arising between the two countries;

Resolved to co-operate closely with one another as well as with the other United Nations in preserving peace and resisting aggression, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and in particular with Articles 49, 51, 52, 53 and 107 thereof;

Determined to collaborate in measures of mutual assistance in the event of any renewal of German aggression, while considering most desirable the conclusion of a treaty between all the Powers having responsibility for action in relation to Germany with the object of preventing Germany from becoming again a menace to peace;

Having regard to the Treaties of Alliance and Mutual Assistance which they have respectively concluded with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics;

Intending to strengthen the economic relations between the two countries to their mutual advantage and in the interests of general prosperity;

Have decided to conclude a Treaty with these objects and have appointed as their Plenipotentiaries:—

His Majesty The King of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Emperor of India:

For the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The Right Honourable Ernest Bevin, M.P., His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and The Right Honourable Alfred Duff Cooper, His Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary at Paris;

The President of the French Republic:

For the French Republic, His Excellency Monsieur Georges Bidault, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and His Excellency Monsieur René Massigli, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic in London;

who, having communicated their Full Powers, found in good and due form, have agreed as follows:—

Article I

Without prejudice to any arrangements that may be made, under any Treaty concluded between all the Powers having responsibility for action in relation to Germany under Article 107 of the Charter of the United Nations, for the purpose of preventing any infringements by Germany of her obligations with regard to disarmament and de-militarisation and generally of ensuring that Germany shall not again become a menace to peace, the High Contracting Parties will, in the event of any threat to the security of either of them arising from the adoption by Germany of a policy of aggression or from action by Germany designed to facilitate such a policy, take, after consulting with each other and where appropriate with the other Powers having responsibility for action in relation to Germany, such agreed action (which so long as the said Article 107 remains operative shall be action under that Article) as is best calculated to put an end to this threat.

Article II

Should either of the High Contracting Parties become again involved in hostilities with Germany,

either in consequence of an armed attack, within the meaning of Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, by Germany against that Party,

or as a result of agreed action taken against Germany under Article I of this Treaty,

or as a result of enforcement action taken against Germany by the United Nations Security Council,

the other High Contracting Party will at once give the High Contracting Party so involved in hostilities all the military and other support and assistance in his power.

Article III

In the event of either High Contracting Party being prejudiced by the failure of Germany to fulfil any obligation of an economic character imposed on her as a result of the Instrument of Surrender or arising out of any subsequent settlement, the High Contracting Parties will consult with each other and where appropriate with the other Powers having responsibility for action in relation to Germany, with a view to taking agreed action to deal with the situation.

Article IV

Bearing in mind the interests of the other members of the United Nations, the High Contracting Parties will by constant consultation on matters affecting their economic relations with each other take all possible steps to promote the prosperity and economic security of both countries and thus enable each of them to contribute more effectively to the economic and social objectives of the United Nations.

Article V

1

Nothing in the present Treaty should be interpreted as derogating in any way from the obligations devolving upon the High Contracting Parties from the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations or from any special agreements concluded in virtue of Article 43 of the Charter.

2

Neither of the High Contracting Parties will conclude any alliance or take part in any coalition directed against the other High Contracting Party; nor will they enter into any obligation inconsistent with the provisions of the present Treaty.

Article VI

1

The present Treaty is subject to ratification and the instruments of ratification will be exchanged in London as soon as possible.

2

It will come into force immediately on the exchange of the instruments of ratification and will remain in force for a period of fifty years.

3

Unless either of the High Contracting Parties gives to the other notice in writing to terminate it at least one year before the expiration of this period, it will remain in force without any specified time limit, subject to the right of either of the High Contracting Parties to terminate it by giving to the other in writing a year's notice of his intention to do so.

In witness whereof the above-mentioned Plenipotentiaries have signed the present Treaty and affixed thereto their seals.

Done in Dunkirk the fourth day of March, 1947, in duplicate in English and French, both texts being equally authentic.

[L.S.] Ernest BEVIN

[L.S.] DUFF COOPER

[L.S.] BIDAULT

[L.S.] R. MASSIGLI