Representatives of Britain, France, the United States and the Soviet Union met in West Berlin on Monday (23 October), to work out a declaration reaffirming their special rights and responsibilities for Germany. The discussions have been called as the two Germanys move towards mutual recognition and admission to the United Nations. The Four-Power meeting in the Allied Control Council building lasted three hours before adjourning until Thursday (26 October). Eventually the representatives hope to draw up a joint declaration to accompany the East-West German basic treaty, which is now being negotiated.

In the treaty, the two German States will determine their future political relationship. However, the treaty does not affect Alliod rights and responsibilities which derive from early postwar agreements.

The participants in the Four-Power talks are Ambassadors Martin Hillen brand of the United States, Mikhail Yefremov of the Soviet Union, Jean Sauvagnargues of France, and the British Charge-d'Affairs Mr Reginald Hibbert.