International Trade and Peaceful Co-operation

The extension of international economic ties based on common interests helps to promote and strengthen neighbourly relations between peoples, for trade contacts play a very important part in increasing mutual confidence between states, however different their social and economic systems may be. They help to ease international tensions, create conditions for understanding and peaceful co-operation between peoples, and so contribute to the maintenance and strengthening of peace. Hence the great constructive importance of the efforts being made by experts to promote the general extension of international economic relations and of foreign trade in particular. The compilation of substantive scholarly works expounding the prerequisites, nature, purposes and course of development of international trade — taking full and proper account of differences in economic and social structure; the discussion of these questions at international meetings of experts; and the formulation of scientifically-sound recommendations on the subject all contribute towards facilitating and extending business contacts. One of the duties of experts genuinely striving to prevent war and strengthen peace is, therefore, to help overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of the expansion of international trade on an equitable footing.