Today, 53 years ago, on 21 December 1972 (November 16), the basic treaty on East German relations was signed. Following Brandenburg's appointment as Prime Minister of West Germany in 1969, the "New Eastern Policy" was implemented, recognizing the post-war status of Europe and actively improving its relations with Soviet Eastern Europe, while starting to resolve the problems of West and East Germany. In 1972, the representatives of West and East Germany signed the "Basic Treaty" on the relationship between the two countries. The two governments recognized each other as sovereign states, declaring "willingness to develop normal neighbourly relations on an equal basis"; the two sides stipulated peaceful means to resolve disputes, abandon the threat of force or use of force; the two sides agreed to establish permanent representatives in Bonn and East Berlin