East German Travel Treaties

Travel Freedom? East German Travel Treaties

Not many people realize that for a nation insisting on walling in and restraining the travel freedoms of its citizens, East Germany (GDR) was surprisingly liberal when it came to signing open travel treaties with foreign nations. Citizens of countries that had signed travel treaties with the GDR were allowed to travel to the GDR quite freely, without needing to apply (and pay) for a travel visa before departure. East German Travel Treaties

Friendly Nations East German Travel Treaties

Though friendly foreign nations topped the list of countries allowed to travel to the GDR without a visa (including Algeria, Syria, South Yemen, and multiple African nations), it is essential to remember that military and civilian government personnel of the United States, the United Kingdom, and France based in West Germany and West Berlin did not need to apply for an East German travel visa when transiting to and from West Berlin, as they were under the direct jurisdiction of the Soviet Armed Forces (and not the East German government). East German Travel Treaties

Lebanese Travel/Passport

One country that benefited from this travel privilege was the Republic of Lebanon, a small Mediterranean country that would find itself embroiled in a 15-year civil war from 1975 to 1990. In hindsight, the GDR was very active in Lebanon during those years. In 1973, the GDR authorities dispatched Mr. Bruno Sedlaczek, deputy head of the third non-European department (Near and the Middle East), ambassador to Lebanon (1973 to 1977). East German Travel Treaties

The shown Lebanese passport highlights the need for a travel visa to visit Czechoslovakia before departure. However, entering the GDR required no prior visa, with an East German visa stamp issued instantly upon entering East Berlin.

Lebanon Civil War

Lebanon’s civil war is estimated to have forced approximately one million refugees to flee the country. Though it was nearly impossible to escape to West Germany, a particular loophole facilitated this. The treaty allowed visa-free travel between Lebanon and East Germany. Fleeing conflict became easier with affordable Interflug plane tickets. Once in East Berlin, this person could go directly from Schönefeld Airport to a checkpoint leading into West Berlin.

In West Berlin, an asylum application was usually easily granted. GDR travel treaties allowed millions from conflict zones like Lebanon, Somalia, South Yemen, Nigeria to find new homes in West Germany and Scandinavia.

Another interesting Cold War article from my friend Mat. East German Travel Treaties

GDR Travel – Passport compulsory – Germany is now a foreign country

Tom Topol | Passport History Expert & Author.
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