p Comrades, our internal development is closely connected with the situation in the world arena. In view of this the Party’s Central Committee has devoted much attention to international problems. Plenary meetings of the CC have repeatedly considered the most important and pressing problems of the USSR’s foreign policy, and the CPSU’s activity in the communist movement.

p The Soviet Union is a peace-loving state, and this is determined by the very nature of our socialist system. The goals of Soviet foreign policy, as formulated by the 23rd Congress of the CPSU, consist in ensuring, together with other socialist countries, favourable international conditions for the construction of socialism and communism; in consolidating the unity and cohesion of the socialist countries, their friendship and brotherhood; supporting the national liberation movement and engaging in all-round co-operation with the young developing states; consistently standing up for the principle of peaceful coexistence between states with different social systems, giving a resolute rebuff to the aggressive forces of imperialism, and safeguarding mankind from another world war.

The whole of the CC’s practical activity in the sphere of foreign policy has been designed to achieve these goals.