2.
Document on confidence-building measures and certain aspects of security and disarmament
The participating States,
Desirous of eliminating the causes of tension that may exist among them and thus of contributing to the strengthening of peace and security in the world; Determined to strengthen confidence among them and thus to contribute to increasing stability and security in Europe;
Determined further to refrain in their mutual relations, as well as in their international relations in general, from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations and with the Declaration on Principles Guiding Relations between Participating States as adopted in this Final Act;
Recognising the need to contribute to reducing the dangers of armed conflict and of misunderstanding or miscalculation of military activities which could give rise to apprehension, particularly in a situation where the participating States lack clear and timely information about the nature of such activities:
Taking into account considerations relevant to efforts aimed at lessening tension and promoting disarmament;
Recognising that the exchange of observers by invitation at military man- oeuvres will help to promote contacts and mutual understanding;
Having studied the question of prior notification of major military move- ments in the context of confidence-building;
Recognising that there are other ways in which individual States can con- tribute further to their common objectives;
Convinced of the political importance of prior notification of major military manoeuvres for the promotion of mutual understanding and the strengthening of confidence, stability and security;
Accepting the responsibility of each of them to promote these objectives and to implement this measure, in accordance with the accepted criteria and modalities, as essentials for the realisation of these objectives;
Recognising that this measure deriving from political decision rests upon a voluntary basis;
Have adopted the following:
I
Prior notification of major military manoeuvres
They will notify their major military manoeuvres to all other participating States through usual diplomatic channels in accordance with the following provisions:
Notification will be given of major military manoeuvres exceeding a total of 25,000 troops, independently or combined with any possible air or naval components (in this context the word "troops" includes amphibious and air- borne troops). In the case of independent manoeuvres of amphibious or air-
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