On 21 November 1990, at Paris, the Heads of State or Government of the participating States of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe signed the Charter of Paris for a New Europe, at the summit of 19–21 November. English, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish. The original is transmitted to the Government of the French Republic, which will retain it in its archives and send true copies. The text is not eligible for registration under Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations; France is requested to transmit it to the Secretary-General for circulation as an official document. It is not the CFE Treaty, signed also at Paris on 19 November, and not the 1999 Istanbul Charter for European Security.

The era of confrontation and division of Europe has ended. Relations will be founded on respect and co-operation. The ideas of the Helsinki Final Act have opened a new era of democracy, peace and unity. The Ten Principles remain the guide. Democracy is the only system of government of our nations: human rights are inalienable, guaranteed by law, the first responsibility of government; free and fair elections; no one will be above the law. Without discrimination: freedom of thought, conscience and religion, of expression, of association and peaceful assembly, of movement; no one will be subject to arbitrary arrest or to torture. The ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious identity of national minorities will be protected.

Economic liberty, social justice and environmental responsibility are indispensable for prosperity. The transition to market economy is in the interest of all. Friendly relations among the States of Europe, the United States of America and Canada. A renewed pledge to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State. Security is indivisible. The Charter welcomes the signature of the CFE Treaty by twenty-two participating States and a substantial new set of confidence- and security-building measures. It fully recognizes the freedom of States to choose their own security arrangements. It welcomes the Treaty on the Final Settlement with respect to Germany, signed in Moscow on 12 September 1990, and the unification of the German people in one State in accordance with the principles of the Final Act.

CSCE institutions: a Secretariat in Prague; a Council of Foreign Ministers, at least once a year, first meeting in Berlin; a Committee of Senior Officials; a Conflict Prevention Centre in Vienna; an Office for Free Elections in Warsaw; a call for a CSCE parliamentary assembly. The next meeting of Heads of State or Government in Helsinki in 1992. Modalities are set out in the Supplementary Document, adopted together with the Charter. The Council may adopt any amendment to that supplementary document.

The High Representatives, mindful of the high political significance they attach to the results and declaring their determination to act in accordance with the provisions adopted, subscribed their signatures. Done at Paris, on 21 November 1990.

Palais de l'Élysée, Paris. The seat of the CSCE summit, not the confirmed signing hall. Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.

For context: Paris Charter. The text: OSCE, Charter of Paris for a New Europe.