INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS OTHER THAN TREATIES [62 STAT. Principles of Agree- ment. 62 Stat., Pt. 1, p. 137. Preamble The Government of the United States of America and The French Commander-in-Chief in Germany, acting on behalf of the French Zone of Occupation of Germany; Recognizing that the restoration or maintenance in European countries of principles of individual liberty, free institutions, and genuine independence rests largely upon the establishment of sound economic conditions, stable international economic relationships and the achievement by the countries of Europe of a healthy economy independent of extraordinary outside assistance; Recognizing that a strong and prosperous European economy is essential for the attainment of the purposes of the United Nations; Considering that the achievement of such conditions calls for a European recovery plan of self-help and mutual cooperation, open to all nations which cooperate in such a plan, based upon a strong production effort, the expansion of foreign trade, the creation or maintenance of internal financial stability and the development of economic cooperation, including all possible steps to establish and maintain valid rates of exchange and to reduce trade barriers; Considering that in furtherance of these principles the French Commander, on behalf of the French Zone, joined with like-minded nations in a Convention for European Economic Cooperation signed at Paris on April 16, 1948 [1] under which the signatories of that Convention agreed to undertake as their immediate task the elabora- tion and execution of a joint recovery program, and that the French Zone is a member of the Organization for European Economic Coopera- tion created pursuant to the provisions of that Convention; Considering also that, in furtherance of these principles, the Gov- ernment of the United States of America has enacted the Economic Cooperation Act of 1948, providing for the furnishing of assistance by the United States of America to nations participating in a joint program for European recovery, in order to enable such nations through their own individual and concerted efforts to become in- dependent of extraordinary outside economic assistance; Taking note that the French Commander has already expressed his adherence to the purposes and policies of the Economic Cooperation Act of 1948; Desiring to set forth the understandings which govern the furnishing of assistance by the Government of the United States of America under the Economic Cooperation Act of 1948, the receipt of such assistance by the French Zone and the measures which the two Parties will take individually and together in furthering the recovery ' Department of State publication 3145. 2252
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