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THE GERMAN REICH and THE PRINCIPALITY OF SEALAND –
IN RECOGNITION of their responsibility for the new peace order in Europe and in the world,
IN CONSIDERATION that from time immemorial consular relations had been established between peoples,
IN THE HOPE for mutual recognition according to international law,
CONVINCED of the necessity to build a new Europe united by common values and to create an enduring and just peace order,
CERTAIN of the fact that human rights and basic freedom are of great importance and that their recognition is a prerequisite for an advance in establishing said peace order,
WITH THE DESIRE to develop a fruitful and mutually advantageous co-operation between the two states on all levels and to confer a new quality to their mutual understanding in the interest of their peoples and of peace in Europe and in the world,
CONSIDERING the special situation in relation to Germany as a whole in conjunction with a later adjustment and revision to the new requirements of this treaty after the peace treaty between the German Reich and the victorious powers of World War II is signed –
HAVE RESOLVED THE FOLLOWING:
Article 1 (Principles)
The German Reich and the Principality of Sealand are being guided in the forming of their relations by the following principles:
They mutually respect their sovereign equality, their territorial integrity and their political independence.
They place the individual with his dignity and his rights, the concern for humanity’s survival and the conservation of the natural environment at the centre of their policies.
They confirm the right of all peoples and states to determine their fate freely and without external interference, to fashion their political, economic, social and cultural development according to their own wishes.
They avow to the principle that any war has to be avoided and peace has to be maintained and formed.
They give precedence to the general rules of international law in domestic and foreign politics and testify to their firm determination conscientiously to fulfil their contractual obligations.
They avow to use the creative potential of man and modern society to secure peace and to increase the prosperity of all peoples.
Article 2 (Territorial Integrity)
The German Reich and the Principality of Sealand pledge to heed the territorial integrity of the states in Europe.
The honour and accept according to international law the state territory of the German Reich within the confines of December 31, 1937, and the state territory of the Principality of Sealand of September 2, 1967.
Today and henceforth they regard the borders of all states of Europe to be inviolable as they extend on the date of the signing of this treaty.
Article 3 (Non-aggression Treaty)
The German Reich and the Principality of Sealand avow that they will refrain from any threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of the other side or in any way is irreconcilable with the aims of international law.
Should one of the two treaty states be subjected to an act of aggression, the other partner state will not extend military help or any other support to the aggressor and will take the appropriate measures to end the conflict through the application of principles and procedures of collective security.
Article 4 (Europe)
The German Reich and the Principality of Sealand will contribute to the process of security and co-operation in Europe. The aim of these endeavours is the strengthening of peace, stability and security and the growing together of Europe to a unified space of law, democracy, as well as the co-operation in the area of economy, culture and information.
Article 5 (Bilateral Rapport)
The German Reich and the Principality of Sealand have agreed to hold regular consultations to ensure a further development and deepening of the bilateral relations and to attune their stance in international concerns.
Should a situation arise which in the eyes of one side represents a threat to peace or an violation of peace or could engender dangerous international entanglements, both sides will immediately liaise and try to attune their positions and to agree on measures that are fit to ameliorate or overcome the situation.
Article 6 (Environmental Conservation)
Convinced that the preservation of a natural foundation for living is inalienable for a successful economic and social development, the German Reich and the Principality of Sealand confirm their determination for co-operation in the area of environmental conservation.
Article 7 (Residence and Property)
The citizens of either treaty-signing state shall be granted full rights of residence, travel, trade and industry in the territory of the other state.
The German Reich and the Principality of Sealand guarantee the citizens of the opposite treaty state staying in their respective territory safety of person and property.
Article 8 (Most-Favoured-Nation Clause)
Each of the treaty-signing states grants the citizens of the opposite state all rights, advantages and privileges which it grants or intends to grant in the future to citizens of third states, especially where custom duties, inner duties and jurisdiction are concerned.
Article 9 (Freedom of Residence and Mobility)
The German Reich and the Principality of Sealand waive the visa procedure until the ratification of a peace treaty between the German Reich and all victorious forces of the Second World War. The citizens of both treaty states can peacefully stay and reside in the other state’s territory, first and foremost tourist, business, economic and cultural reasons or for scientific-technological co-operation.
After the signing of the said peace treaty, this article has to be replaced within two years by a separate agreement regulating staying, residence and an eventual visa procedure.
Article 10 (Consular Activities)
The German Reich and the Principality of Sealand can appoint accredited representatives in the opposite state, who shall reside in places where trade or other interests necessitates their presence or makes it desirable.
Each treaty-signing state pledges to admit in its territory general consuls, consuls, vice consuls and consular agents of the other state who have been appointed by the latter according to its laws.
These general consuls, consuls, vice consuls and consular agents do not have to be citizens of the state that appointed them. As long as they are not, an approval by the opposite state has to be sought through diplomatic channels prior to the appointment.
Article 11 (Period of Validity)
This treaty must be ratified, the ratification charters shall be exchanged in Great Berlin as soon as possible, under consideration of the SHAEF Legislation in force until a valid peace treaty is signed.
This treaty comes into force upon the exchange of the ratification charters.
This treaty is valid for five years. Afterwards it is automatically prolonged for a further five years, unless one of the treaty-signing states revokes the treaty in writing within a time limit of one year before the end of the respective period of validity.
SO DONE at Great Berlin on December 31, 1998.
Issued as two charters in German language.
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