Division of Labour, Socialist International, an international division of labour of a new kind, which has evolved in the economic, scientific and technical cooperation between the socialist countries. Its essence lies in the creation of the most rational and effective system of territorial 93 distribution of production on the scale of the entire world socialist economy. The socialist international division of labour is an objective economic process expressed in the growing interrelation of the national reproduction processes of the countries of the world socialist economic system. Its main principles are: correct estimation of the objectively necessary proportions of economic development of the individual countries and the world socialist system as a whole; full equality, mutual respect, independence and sovereignty and fraternal assistance in the interests of both the general development of the productive forces of the entire world socialist system and of each country. The socialist international division of labour enables the socialist countries to use to the maximum their labour and material resources and the advantages of the world socialist system, strengthening its economic might and defence capability. The objective of this international division of labour is to raise the efficiency of social production, to achieve high rates of economic growth and the greater well-being of the working people in all socialist countries, and to gradually overcome the historical differences in their levels of economic development (see Evening Out ( Rapprochement) of Economic Development Levels of the Socialist Countries). The deepening of the socialist international division of labour does not result in an imbalanced development of the economy of the socialist countries. Interrelated and mutually complementary economic sectors: heavy industry, agriculture, extracting and processing industries, the production of the means of production and of consumer goods are being created in every country in accordance with its natural, historical and economic conditions. However, this does not mean that the economy is developing in a way that each country can become economically self-reliant. Relying on the socialist international division of labour, the fraternal countries are initially developing sectors of production most suitable to them. The combination of the international division of labour with the development of national economic complexes ensures the fullest use of the productive forces of every country and of the entire socialist system. The socialist international division of labour is planned with due account of the world division of labour. Developing economic ties with all countries of the world, socialist countries thus strengthen the material foundation of peaceful coexistence between countries with different social systems. Today the world socialist economic system provides excellent opportunities for the deeper division of labour between the participating countries, especially through specialisation and cooperation of production and using their advantages more rationally. The Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA) is the most important body working to extend the socialist international division of labour in various forms. With socialist economic integration (see Integration, Economic Socialist) the socialist international division of labour progresses to a qualitatively new stage. The elaboration of the long-term special cooperation programmes is a graphic expression of this. The division of labour is planned with consideration for maintaining the material, manpower and financial resources of the socialist community at a dynamic balance. The socialist international division of labour is the most profound objective foundation for the development of the integration process.