On 3 September 1971, in Berlin (former Allied Control Council building, American Sector), the four Allied powers — the US, USSR, United Kingdom and France — conclude the Quadripartite Agreement on Berlin — the understanding reconfirming Four-Power rights and responsibilities and facilitating transit to West Berlin.

The text, authentic in English, French and Russian, provides that the situation in the area shall not be changed unilaterally, that force shall not be used and that civilian transit by road, rail and water through the GDR to the Western Sectors shall be unimpeded.

The Final Quadripartite Protocol of 3 June 1972 brought the agreement into force. It opened the way for Ostpolitik, the FRG–GDR Basic Treaty (1972) and both Germanys’ UN membership (1973).

The agreement eased Berlin tensions without finally resolving the city’s legal status — left intentionally vague.

For détente, 3 September 1971 marks the Berlin signature.

The text is registered in the UNTS (No. 12621, vol. 880).

The Quadripartite Agreement on Berlin of 3 September 1971 remains the détente milestone in divided Germany.

Image: Berlin; Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: Four Power Agreement on Berlin. Treaty text: UNTS — Quadripartite Agreement on Berlin (No. 12621).