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p The world socialist system has passed a number of stages in its development. It has been the author’s purpose to outline the history of its emergence and analyse the main problems which had arisen during its development.

p A study of the history of the world socialist system shows that for a proper understanding of many questions, it is necessary to delve deeply into the roots of, and prerequisites for, its formation.

p Indeed, it is impossible to understand and properly evaluate the revolutionary processes underway at the end of the Second World War in Eastern and Southeast Europe without considering the revolutionary struggle of the European working class in the prewar period. It is impossible rationally to explain the reasons for the victory of people’s democratic revolutions in parts of Europe and Asia without considering the tremendous experience in revolutionary struggle which the international working class gained after the Great October Socialist Revolution, without considering its direct impact on the revolutionary movement in other countries.

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p The formation of the world socialist system opened up entirely new horizons to the progressivelorces fighting for liberation. Socialism’s possibilities for influencing entire world development were tremendously extended, so that today the socialist system is increasingly becoming the decisive factor in society’s development.

p This conclusion of the world communist movement has resulted from a Marxist-Leninist analysis of world events and changes, and a profound evaluation of the world relationship of the class and political forces. Life is providing ever new confirmation of this conclusion.

p ft would be an oversimplification, incompatible with Marxism-Leninism, to think that in our days the course and outcome of absolutely all international events depend on the socialist countries, on their will and position. How the international situation is shaped at each stage, how it develops in each individual case, how international processes take place in the period of transition from capitalism to socialism, all depends on the competition and struggle between the two socio- economic systems, socialism and capitalism. This is a persistent, bitter struggle. For capitalism it is a struggle for survival and it disdains no means and exerts every effort, which is still considerable. In their desire to stifle world socialism the imperialists resort not only to the “traditional” methods of politics elaborated over many centuries, including war, but also devise new methods and artifices.

p Ultimate victory on a worldwide scale belongs to socialism as the more progressive social system ensuring the fullest development of the productive forces and their most efficient use for the 389 good of society; but this applies to the ultimate victory, and not the distinct stages of the struggle itself. They in fact chiefly make up the substance of international affairs today.

p When we speak of the conversion of the socialist system into the decisive factor of world development, we refer to the historical prospects before mankind, its destiny, which is inextricably linked with socialism, with mankind’s advance along the road of social progress.

p Throughout the last half-century, history has incontrovertibly proved that notwithstanding the desperate resistance offered by the old world and the unceasing attempts of its leaders to restore the capitalist order on a worldwide scale, notwithstanding the aggressive actions of imperialism and the wars it has unleashed, whether local or worldwide—notwithstanding all this, the balance of world forces is steadily changing in favour of socialism and to the detriment of capitalism.

p By its achievements in building socialism and communism the world socialist system is exercising a powerful influence on the minds of men. Socialist economic, scientific, technological, cultural and all other successes, including the advance of the people’s living standards, demonstrate to all humanity the great advantages of the new socio-economic system, its superiority over the old one.

p Herein is the essence, to use Lenin’s words, of the "basic historical connection" between the world socialist system and the progress of mankind. Only by approaching it from the scientific angle are we able to view it correctly, and not to lose sight of the main substance in a "mass of detail”. The scientific, Marxist-Leninist approach 390 offered the world communist movement grounds lor the conclusion that,

p “’loday it is the world socialist system and t/ic lorccs lighting againsl imperialism, for a socialist transformation of society, that determine (he main content, main trend and main features of the historical development of society.”  [390•1 

p Today there is no longer any substantial social process in the world that would develop outside and without the influence of the world socialist system. Karl Marx once wrote of the Paris Commune: "The great social measure of the Commune was its own working existence.”  [390•2  Hence we are justified in saying that the greatest "social measure" of the past half-century was the existence, profound transforming activity and struggle, first ol the Soviet state surrounded by capitalist countries, and then, of the world socialist system.

p What is exceedingly important is that the ideas of socialism lound their material embodiment in the Soviet Union and then in other socialist countries. Even prior to that the ideas of socialism had undoubtedly represented a tremendous challenge. But it was their embodiment that served as the cause, as Lenin wrote, of the "tremendous acceleration of world development”, the "great acceleration of the greatest world revolution”,  [390•3  into which hundreds of millions of people were drawn. It is in October 1917 that the rapid growth rate of historical events began, which was further accelerated after the conversion of socialism into 391 a world system. In 50 years, a relatively brief period in historical terms, socialism scored victories which radically altered the entire world siluation. Kven many bourgeois ideologists are compelled to admit the mounting influence exerted by socialism, its ideas and practice. US Senator J. W. Fulbright writes in his book Pros/iccls for the West that "the success of Communism as a revolutionary force in the world is ... the result of the impact and example of the Soviet state, which .. . converted backward Russia into a powerful modern industrial society in the span of a single generation".  [391•1 

p Under both the direct and indirect influence of the world socialist system, the world processes have become highly diverse and affect all social relations. The socialist system and its constructive function represent the bulwark of the world revolutionary process of our time, its main force, as attested to by the facts of history.

p Is it indisputable, for example, that it was the existence of the world socialist community that made it possible for a socialist state to arise and survive on the very doorstep of the United States, this chief citadel of world imperialism. We refer to the Republic of Cuba.

p It is likewise indisputable that it is owing to these conditions that the disintegration of the colonial system, which began immediately after the October Revolution, acquired its present scale. Moreover, in a number of cases the new sovereign states, formed in the course of the national liberation struggle, have embarked on the non- 392 capitalist path and are utilising socialist forms and methods of operating the economy.

p Today, however, socialism possesses not only the attractive force of example. It is impossible to overestimate the importance of the socialist assistance and support that the peoples of developing states are able to draw on and widely utilise. This specifically is a manifestation of the influence exerted by the socialist economic achievements on the world revolutionary process. Bourgeois ideologists write with unconcealed anxiety about the social consequences of assistance of socialist countries to young national states. An official American report points out that the exchange of technical experts, economic assistance, the possibilities of reciprocal trade and enhanced prestige and might of the Soviet Union —all these factors create the impression that the USSR is the prototype of the future society. The world socialist system is exerting an ever greater impact on the social content and ideals of the national liberation movement.

p The situation in the Third World following the disintegration of the colonial system is marked by great complexity; the socio-political processes in it are diverse and at times contradictory. But if we review the record of the ex-colonies as a whole, considering the prospects, it is clear that the moral and political isolation of capitalism’s proponents has increased in them, and their peoples are increasingly inclined to choose progressive ways of development.

p The socialist countries are natural allies of the peoples fighting for their national and social liberation. The development of relations with young states of course depends on the nature of the 393 socio-economic and political changes in these states. Similarly, the influence of socialism on the peoples fighting colonial oppression and on the newly-free countries, increases in importance as the socialist world positions grow stronger. The change in the balance of power in socialism’s favour and the weakening of imperialism archaving an all-pervading effect on the newly- independent countries. It is not by chance, for example, that many of them are following the path of neutralism, breaking with imperialism and are developing not as “normal” capitalist countries.

p The existence of the world socialist system and its influence on the course of events have changed the conditions of struggle by the proletariat and its allies in the capitalist countries too. The workers of the world have before them a model of socialism; they know that in a quarter of the globe their most burning problems have been solved in the interests of the working people. This opens up a clear perspective. Today, there is no capitalist country where the Communist and Workers’ Parties are not carrying on their lofty struggle either openly or underground. On the whole the world communist and working-class movement represents the most influential political force of our age.

p So far the history of civilisation has not known such intense combats as the competition and struggle of the socialist and the capitalist socio- economic systems. Understandably, the situation may shape differently during separate stages of this struggle, but the main thing is that the balance of power is constantly changing in favour of the new, socialist world, that its ultimate triumph is 394 historically inevitable, whereas capitalism is historically doomed. The progressive development of all society is now proceeding under the direct or indirect inlluence of the achievements scored by the peoples of the Soviet Union and other socialist states.

p Lenin formulated the proposition that socialism exerts its main influence on the international revolution by its constructive endeavours in the economy. Today these achievements are so great and visible that even men who not long ago blindly believed in capitalism are compelled to ponder over them.

p In 1917 the share of Soviet Russia in world industrial output was less than 3 per cent; by 1937 it had amounted to 10 per cent; in 1959 the socialist countries were producing more than onethird of world industrial output: and today their share is about 38 per cent.

p The attainments of socialist countries in the scientific and technological revolution, in the exploration of outer space, in a number of major branches of science and technology are exerting a tremendous influence on world development. What makes the scientific and technological accomplishments of the Soviet Union and other fraternal countries especially important for world development is that they are scored within the bounds of the world socialist system. Thereby, they are put at the service of all mankind, its welfare and social progress, at the service of peace.

p The socialist economic, scientific, technological, cultural and social successes demonstrate to the people of the world the advantages of the new socio-economic formation. The international 395 signiiicance of the economic attainments of the socialist countries thus consists not only in that they are steadily changing the balance of world power in favour of socialism, but that everyone can clearly see what inexhaustible sources lor advance are held out by socialism. Furthermore, socialism’s intrinsic high rates of economic growth enable formerly backward countries quite swiftly to attain a high economic development level, to build up modern industries, take a worthy place in the system of the international division of labour and improve living standards.

p The greater the economic potential of the socialist countries, the bigger the influence socialism exerts on world development. Specifically, this shows the immense international importance of the five-year plans and economic reforms of the Soviet Union and other socialist countries.

p These reforms raise the efficiency of socialist production, create conditions for the further accelerated development of the socialist system and the growth of its economic potential. They will facilitate implementation of the plans for building socialism and communism in the fraternal countries.

p Fulfilment of long-term national economic plans of the socialist countries will strengthen the economic and defence potential of the socialist community and provide the basis for further extending its influence on world development.

p The capitalist world is rent by the deepest contradictions. The ruling circles of a number of Western countries, while regarding the United States as the chief mainstay of capitalism, cannot but consider the real danger to their own interests fraught in blindly following "American 396 leadership”. They realise that the political course dictated by the US monopolies and West German revanchism is capable of again leading the capitalist countries, above all the West European, to national disaster. It is highly indicative that there are political leaders who, notwithstanding their hatred and fear of communism, realise that it is the USSR and other socialist states that are blocking the road of the claimants to world supremacy.

p The existence of the socialist system has caused certain changes in the relations between states in the non-socialist part of the world. In their foreign policy Western countries are compelled to adapt themselves to the new situation marked by the growth of socialism’s forces. The influence of the socialist system is also felt in the development of relations among the capitalist countries themselves. Many states which in the past had been inveigled into aggressive military blocs are increasingly looking to the socialist countries for a mainstay to preserve their national independence and sovereignty; they utilise relations with the Soviet Union and other socialist states as a kind of lever for bringing pressure to bear on the United States, for resisting Washington’s dictation.

p We have mustered graphic evidence to show that the existence of the world socialist system has introduced deep-going revolutionary changes in international relations. Of great fundamental significance is the fact that today their content is determined not by the omnipotence of imperialism, as was lite case in the past, but by the cornpetition and confrontation of the socialist and capitalist socio-economic systems. A real force waging a struggle in the interests of all mankind, 397 in the interests of peace and progress, stands opposed to imperialist arbitrary action and lawlessness in he international arena.

p The Great October Socialist Revolution struck the first hammer blow at the foreign policy and diplomatic activity of the exploiting classes. A state came into being to which the methods of bourgeois diplomacy were inapplicable. Moreover, it became more difficult to apply them generally. From the very first days of the Soviet state its peace-loving foreign policy laid a deep impress on international relations. With the conversion of socialism into a world system, imperialism came face to face with a community of socialist states. This created entirely new conditions in the world and raised serious obstacles to imperialism’s aggressive policy. The imperialist powers are compelled to take into account the revolutionary changes in international relations. They are trying to adapt themselves to the new situation in one way or another, to find different means of applying their policy whose substance, however, remains the same.

p Today, the imperialist powers, especially the United States, pursue the same reactionary, antipopular aims in their foreign policy as in the past. This policy is increasingly determined by anticommunism which is the principal ideological weapon of imperialist reaction. This perhaps is the new feature which largely sets apart the foreign policy of contemporary imperialism from that of exploiting states in the past. As for the rest, little has changed. Henry Commager, an American historian, admits that "power exposes us (the United States—Sk.S.) to the same temptation to ruthlessness, lawlessness, hypocrisy, and 398 vanity to which all great powers were exposed in the past".  [398•1 

p But hypocrisy, however artfully it is employed by the US ruling element, can no longer conceal imperialist lawlessness. Socialist foreign policy and diplomacy are conducting an unflagging struggle against the imperialist policy of aggression and are invariably defending peace and the national interests of the peoples.

p Ever since October 1917 the history of international relations has in effect been the history of the growing influence and prestige of the Leninist, socialist foreign policy and diplomacy, of the successes registered by the policy elaborated by Lenin, namely, to wage an incessant offensive on imperialism, implacably to expose its policy of war, discord among the nations and oppression of the peoples, to bring the truth to the people. "We can counter hypocrisy and lies with the complete and honest truth,"  [398•2  Lenin wrote.

p The Leninist line has been consistently pursued by the Soviet Union and other fraternal countries in all turns in the international situation. In its clash with socialist foreign policy, the oldworld diplomacy has time and again suffered reverses. Imperialism naturally will not reconcile itself to them, and there are many signs indicating that the leaders of the imperialist camp want to compensate their foreign-policy defeats by stepping up their aggression, exacerbating international tension and resorting to ventures endangering general peace.

p Meanwhile, admissions are heard in the United 399 States itself that Washington’s adventurist aggressive policy is based on illusory notions. Here, for example, is how the reasons for the failures of US foreign policy are explained by Richard Barnet and Marcus Raskin, co-directors of the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington.

p “For almost twenty years America’s major foreign policy has been sustained on a nightmare and a dream. The nightmare was the Soviet threat in Europe, the prospect that by invasion, threats, or clever politics the Kremlin would expand its power and ideology over the continent. This Great Confrontation over Europe was the origin and principal battleground of the Cold War which involved the Great Powers.

p “The dream was an ’Atlantic Community’, a collection of supposedly like-minded peoples united, not only in their opposition to communism, but in their resolve to build the economic and political unity of the West under the leadership of the United States.”  [399•1 

p It is now generally recognised that the Leninist principle of peaceful coexistence of states belonging to different socio-economic systems greatly influences international relations. What is important is not only that the idea of peaceful coexistence as such has become so widespread; even more important is that the sphere for the practical application of this principle is extending. This is incontrovertibly demonstrated by relations of the Soviet Union and other socialist countries with a number of capitalist states.

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p Peaceful coexistence incorporates both co- operation and struggle. These two aspects are inseverably interconnected and both are of crucial importance for all the nation.-..

p Socialism, besides creating the most progressive socio-economic formation, has also introduced the most expedient and just system of relations between peoples and states. Together with abolishing the antagonism between classes it has put an end to the antagonism between nations—this eternal concomitant of exploiting society which endangers clashes and constant enmity between peoples. For the first time in history a community of states has arisen in which there is no room for oppression of one nation by another, a community in which relations are fully based on complete equality and fraternal mutual assistance, on the principles of socialist internationalism.

p The world socialist system represents a new type of economic and political relations between peoples; it initiates the historical process of the comprehensive rapprochement of peoples of different countries. A process is under way in the new world of eliminating national discord and seclusion, of mutually enriching national cultures and actively moulding the international features characteristic of the members of socialist society.

p Socialist international relations were shaped and improved as the world socialist system gained momentum. Although the international communist movement had a rich Leninist legacy in this sphere too, although it had already gained experience in arranging socialist interstate relations, new problems and tasks accompanied the birth of the socialist system and confronted the CPSU and other fraternal Parties. It was necessary to work 401 out principles of economic, political, cultural and military co-operation of the fraternal countries that corresponded to the nature of the socialist system and ensured genuine equality and national independence.

p In other words, it was necessary to create an entirely new type of interstate relations, to effect a genuine revolution in this realm too. These relations, based on the principles of Marxism- Leninism, are the most humane, just and practicable of all those that history has known until now. For the first time, relations between big and small nations within the bounds of the socialist community are based on genuine equality. This is ensured by the consistent application of the principles of proletarian internationalism, the striving of every country to do its utmost for the development of the entire world socialist system, for the triumph of the common cause.

p In the world today this new type of international relations is exerting a tremendous impact on the course and nature of events. The sphere of dominance of socialist international relations may be limited to the world socialist system, but the possibilities of their influence are practically boundless.

p It is understandable that the influence of the world socialist system on international relations, on all world development, is the greater, the stronger the unity of the socialist countries, the more concerted their actions. Experience confirms the great importance of the conclusion drawn by the international communist movement at the 1969 Moscow Meeting: ".. . the most important prerequisite for increasing the Communist and Workers’ Parties’ contribution to the solution of 402 the problems facing the peoples is to raise the unity of the communist movement to a higher level in conformity with present-day requirements. This demands determined and persistent effort by all the Parties. The cohesion of the Communist and Workers’ Parties is the most important factor in rallying together all the antiimperialist forces.”  [402•1 

p The following statement made by Lenin in 1920 acquires a special ring in present-day conditions: ".. .we, who are faced by a huge front of imperialist powers, we, who are fighting imperialism, represent an alliance that requires close military unity, and any attempt to violate this unity we regard as absolutely impermissible, as a betrayal of the struggle against international imperialism.”  [402•2  The economic, political and military cohesion of the socialist countries, and their joint international actions constitute a major factor determining and constantly raising their role in world development.

p That the Soviet Union and other socialist countries act jointly, that by their combined efforts they defend their interests, their sovereignty, and are vigorously rebuffing the intrigues of the international reactionary forces in all parts of the world, naturally frustrates the imperialists, just as they abhor the vigorous joint actions of socialist states in defence of colonial peoples who have won independence. Many reckless imperialist plans have been shattered by these united actions. The peoples of the world have every reason to 403 regard the socialist community as the bulwark of peace.

p In the Report of the Central Committee of the CPSU to the 24th Congress L. I. Brezhnev stated that the CPSU attached special importance to the development of co-operation with Communist Parties of other countries: "This co-operation, enriching us with each other’s experience has enabled us jointly to work on the fundamental problems of socialist and communist construction, to find the most rational forms of economic relations, collectively to lay down a common line in foreign affairs, and to exchange opinion on questions relating to the work in the sphere of ideology and culture.”  [403•1  He noted that the fraternal socialist countries had scored telling achievements in co-ordinating their efforts in foreign policy, in collectively examining the biggest international problems and events.

p Co-ordination of effort has become a major principle of socialist foreign policy and diplomacy, a factor of present-day international relations. It has largely facilitated the conversion of the world socialist system into the decisive force of the anti-imperialist struggle and enhanced the efficacy of socialist foreign policy. The Warsaw Treaty Organisation is the main centre for coordinating the activity of the fraternal countries in foreign policy.

p Co-ordination in no way implies the curtailment of the foreign functions of any socialist state. On the contrary, it helps strengthen its foreign policy 404 positions and greatly extends its possibilities of influencing world developments. Thanks to coordination both the Soviet Union and other socialist countries actively participate in solving important international issues of our time and play the part of an active factor in world politics.

p Co-ordination implies the proper combination of international and national tasks in the foreign policy of socialist countries. In applying it, both the general aims of the community of socialist states and the specific, national tasks of each member of the community are taken into consideration.

p It is not by chance that imperialist ideologists are doing everything possible to undermine the co-operation of fraternal socialist countries in foreign policy. The favourite method of socialism’s foes is to present this co-operation in a distorted light, to picture co-ordinated steps of the fraternal countries in foreign affairs as a violation of sovereignty and national independence, as actions aimed at belittling the foreign-policy activity of socialist countries. In the final analysis this pernicious activity is designed to foment nationalism, to weaken the unity and solidarity of fraternal socialist nations.

p Lenin pointed out that vital questions of the struggle of the workers for their emancipation must be solved by submitting to the international discipline of the revolutionary proletariat and by effecting the unity of the class struggle of the workers for communism the world over.  [404•1  Submitting to this "international discipline of the revolutionary proletariat”, the socialist states by their 405 achievements in building the new life and by their foreign policies, exert a determining influence not only on the solution of world problems, but also on the historical development; they are contributing in every way to accelerating the progress of all mankind.

p The effort of socialist countries to consolidate international peace is inextricably linked with their struggle for the social progress of mankind, for the triumph of freedom and justice. Such a dialectical unity of the actions of the fraternal countries in foreign affairs is determined by the community of their class interests, by the objective need jointly to defend the positions of world socialism, to uphold the interests of the peoples fighting for their social and national liberation.

p The efficacy of socialist foreign policy in influencing the world revolutionary process directly depends on the close co-operation and collective efforts of the USSR and other socialist countries in the international arena. It is ensured by their joint actions against the policy of aggrandisement, the policy of exploitation and domination.

p Socialist countries, their Communist and Workers’ Parties are constantly rendering tremendous moral and political support to the democratic movements which are working for progressive changes in the socio-political life of their countries. Hence it is not accidental that any significant success of the democratic forces in one or another country leads to essential changes in its relations with countries of the socialist community. In their struggle against imperialism, revolutionary and democratic forces begin at once to rely on socialist countries. In so doing they proceed from the principle that without socialist countries, without their 406 active assistance and support it is impossible to ensure any successful advance, to retain the positions they have won.

p Co-ordination of foreign-policy actions of socialist countries plays a big part in consolidating all the anti-imperialist forces, in reinforcing the friendly relations of socialist and young national states on the basis of the Leninist principles of fraternal solidarity, in abolishing the remnants of colonialism and in eliminating its consequences.

p The emergence and development of young national states, the choice by many of them of a progressive path, the successful repulsing of the frenzied attacks of imperialism, the foiling of neocolonialist manoeuvres and, lastly, the conversion of these countries into a major factor of presentday international relations—all this is closely connected with the influence and weight of the socialist community, with its consistent struggle against imperialism.

p Co-ordination of the foreign-policy actions of socialist states is a multifarious and intricate process. It requires tremendous effort and great art. It is a matter of concerting the positions of the fraternal countries on problems of contemporary international development, in whose solution they may take interest not to the same extent.

p Co-operation of fraternal countries in foreign policy, naturally, is affected by the divergences and difficulties which have arisen in the world communist and working-class movement, by the differences which exist in the relations between some Communist and Workers’ Parties of socialist states. These differences have brought about a 407 situation when not all countries of the world socialist system co-ordinate their actions in foreign policy with the common line of the overwhelming majority of fraternal countries. But, as demonstrated by experience, the country which underestimates the importance of co-ordination in foreign policy in fact takes the path of reducing the efficacy of its policy, the path of isolating itself in international affairs. Regardless of the number of political actions undertaken by this country and their tone and content, its influence on the course and outcome of world events and its weight and international prestige substantially decline.

p The Chinese leaders are inflicting great harm on the unity of action of the socialist countries, of all the anti-imperialist forces. In their policy and propaganda they are pursuing a line hostile towards the Soviet Union and other socialist countries. But the present situation, as emphasised in the Report of the Central Committee of the CPSU to the 24th Congress, more than ever before dictates unity, joint action of all the anti-imperialist, revolutionary forces, and not the fanning of hostility between states like the USSR and China. In present-day conditions even the ruling elements of the leading imperialist states display a certain restraint, understanding what consequences may be caused for them by the fomenting of hostility to the Soviet Union and the other socialist countries and to what results unbridled anti-Sovietism may bring its inspirers.

p But owing to the objective course of development some countries, which do not agree to coordination, take a stand on international problems which is similar or close to the common line. This circumstance to some extent favours the efficacy 408 of the struggle waged by the anti-imperialist forces and influences the positive development of events in the world.

p Needless to say that had all the socialist countries co-ordinated their actions, for instance, in rendering assistance to the Vietnamese people struggling against American imperialism, in supporting the just struggle of the Arab peoples against the Israeli aggressors and their trans- Atlantic patrons, most probably the US imperialists would have been much more constrained in their actions. It is no secret that in many respects they take advantage of the absence of co-ordinated and joint action of all the socialist countries in order to extend military conflicts, or to continue the war against a socialist st.ite, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, and openly back the aggressive policy of Israel in the Arab East.

p Co-ordinated action of the overwhelming majority of socialist countries, the common stand elaborated by them and their indefatigable and steadfast struggle to stamp out the dangerous hotbeds of war have played, and are playing, a paramount part in foiling the strategic and tactical plans of the imperialists, in defending the revolutionary gains, freedom and independence of the peoples of South-East Asia and the Middle East. "Active and consistent support from the Soviet Union and other socialist countries is vitally important for the struggle of the peoples of Vietnam and the other countries of Indo-China against the imperialist interventionists. The steps taken by the socialist states in the Middle East have become one of the decisive factors which have frustrated the imperialist plans of overthrowing the progressive regimes in the Arab countries,” it is pointed 409 out in the Report of the Central Committee of the CPSU to the 24th Party Congress.  [409•1  In the presentday confrontation of the two world social systems multilateral political co-operation of socialist countries which is becoming ever more close and vigorous, acquires primary significance.

p Co-ordination of action in foreign policy does not in the least infringe the sovereignty and the national interests of any fraternal country. On the contrary, it helps to strengthen the world positions of every socialist country and to extend the sphere of their foreign-policy activity in solving all major problems of our time. Voluntary co- ordination of actions in foreign policy is the supreme expression not only of the internationalist duty but also of the sovereignty of a socialist country, a striking manifestation of its readiness and ability to combine national and international interests.

p The present stage in the development of international relations marked by the increasing role of foreign policy and considerable complication of the problems socialist countries have to solve, makes new demands as regards the unity and solidarity of these countries in general and their co-ordination of foreign policy in particular. Development and improvement of this co-ordination directly depends on the level and state of bilateral and multilateral—inter-Party and interstate— relations of socialist countries.

Unity of action of socialist countries in the international arena, which is one of the main trends 410 in their fraternal co-operation, has now become a major factor of peace and social progress. It undoubtedly is one of the highest forms in which the close co-operation and fraternal mutual assistance of the peoples of socialist states is displayed. Their efforts in foreign policy are co- ordinated on a wide range of questions affecting both the interests of socialist states and the interests of world peace and international security, the destinies of all the nations.