Relations between the GDR and FRG (under Honecker 1971-89)

Relations between the GDR and FRG (under Honecker 1971-89)

1. Improvement in relations

   • 1971 Basic Treaty - normalised relations
   • 1973 - GDR citizens can receive FRG TV and radio
   • Improvement in postal services and telephone cconnections between FRG and GDR
   • New motorway between Hamburg and Berlin - FRG improved links to West Berlin
   • Travel arrangements relaxed in mid 80s
   • 1989 - those in the GDR could appeal for a passport
   • 1984 - 40,000 east Germans allowed to emigrate to the FRG
   • both joined the UN

2. Worsening in relations

   • GDR portrayed the FRG as americanised, and itself as the true 'anti-fascist' Germany
   • East German exports labelled as 'made in the GDR' - seperate identities
   • The FRG referred to themselves as 'Germans' and the GDR as 'The Soviet Zone'
   • The GDR disagreed with the 1975 Helsinki Accords - no free travel
   • Pensioners were encouraged to leave the GDR - to strengthen economy
   • The GDR doubled the amount of currency that Westerners needed to exchange into East German currency
   • FRG announced NATO's deployment of nuclear weapons in 1983
   • Minimum charge was doubled for visits