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Law-ref.org | Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe - Final Act - Helsinki 1975 |
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General provisions
The participating States,
Conscious of the growing role of international trade as one
of the most important factors in economic growth and social
progress,
Recognizing that trade represents an essential sector of
their co-operation, and bearing in mind that the provisions
contained in the above preamble apply in particular to this
sector,
Considering that the volume and structure of trade among the
participating States do not in all cases correspond to the
possibilities created by the current level of their economic,
scientific and technological development,
are resolved to promote, on the basis of the modalities of
their economic co-operation, the expansion of their mutual trade
in goods and services, and to ensure conditions favourable to
such development;
recognize the beneficial effects which can result for the
development of trade from the application of most favoured nation
treatment;
will encourage the expansion of trade on as broad a
multilateral basis as possible, thereby endeavouring to utilize
the various economic and commercial possibilities;
recognize the importance of bilateral and multilateral
intergovernmental and other agreements for the long-term
development of trade;
note the importance of monetary and financial questions for
the development of international trade, and will endeavour to
deal with them with a view to contributing to the continuous
expansion of trade;
will endeavour to reduce or progressively eliminate all
kinds of obstacles to the development of trade;
will foster a steady growth of trade while avoiding as far
as possible abrupt fluctuations in their trade;
consider that their trade in various products should be
conducted in such a way as not to cause or threaten to cause
serious injury - and should the situation arise, market
disruption - in domestic markets for these products and in
particular to the detriment of domestic producers of like or
directly competitive products; as regards the concept of market
disruption, it is understood that it should not be invoked in a
way inconsistent with the relevant provisions of their
international agreements; if they resort to safeguard measures,
they will do so in conformity with their commitments in this
field arising from international agreements to which they are
parties and will take account of the interests of the parties
directly concerned;
will give due attention to measures for the promotion of
trade and the diversification of its structure;
note that the growth and diversification of trade would
contribute to widening the possibilities of choice of products;
consider it appropriate to create favourable conditions for
the participation of firms, organizations and enterprises in the
development of trade.