NQ DATE
M/ 12 22 December 19' 2
mBAGO: Not to be used in any
form before 6 pomo on
22 December 1972o
DIPLOMTIC RELATONS WIH TE GEA DEOCRTIC REPUBLIC
0 he Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr EoGo Viitln
released today the text of a joint communique annuncing the establishment
~ o7 diplomatic relations with the German Democtatic Republicø Following is
the text of the joint communique:
" The Government of Australia and the Government
of the German Democratic Republic have today decided
to establish diplomatic relations at Ambassadorial
~ level0 " In reaching this decision both Governments
t'ere prompted by a desire to promote friendly co-
0operation to the mutual advantage of both countries0
"' The timing of the exchange of diplomatic
representatives will be the subject of further
consultation between the two Governmentsø"'
PRIME MINISTER'S PRESS CONFERENCE
19 DECEMBER
RELATIONS WITh EAST GERMANY
Prime Minister: I have instructed the Australian Ambassador in Moscow
to have discussions with this East German colleague there about the
early establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and the
German Democratic Republic. These discussions are in progress,
Following the recent moves between West and East Germany to
normalise their relations, I consider it is important both for political
and commercial reasons for Australia to normalise its own relations with
East Germany. Apart from facilitating trade in both directions, Australian
recognition of East Germany would, when agreement is reached, make people
in Europe more aware that there is a new government in Australia which is
not concentrating on South East Asia and the Pacific to the exclusion of
our highly important relations with Europe.
I would also make the point that in opening discussions with
the GDR I am seeking to avoid situations in which Australia takes general
decisions in international affairs late. I would rather see Australia in
the vanguard than in the rearguard in coming to its own foreign policy
decisions.