After many years of negotiations, the two German states sign a cultural agreement. It governs cultural exchanges in the field of music, film, fine arts, science, publishing, historic monuments and sport. Several remarkable exhibitions can be organised as a result.
20 May
1986
The SED Politburo decides on proposals "for measures to strengthen the GDR economically". The declared strategic objective is to "guarantee the unassailability of the GDR with regard to the NSW ("Non-Socialist Economic Territory") and to halve the balance of claims and obligations towards the NSW" – in other words, Western debt – "by 1990."
26 May
1986
The GDR announces that accredited Western diplomats in East Berlin have to present their diplomatic passports when transiting to the West.more
27 May
1986
The USA states that it no longer intends to keep to the stipulations in the SALT II agreement, as the Soviet Union is continuing to build up arms.
