“Pravova derzhava”. Issue 37 (2026), pages 345–353.

DOI: 10.33663/0869-2491-2026-37-345-353

Samoilenko Olena
The Issue of the Territorial Integrity of States in the Helsinki Final Act of 1975: Reflections on the Anniversary

ISSN online: 2617-9776 print: 0869-2491

Relevance. The article is devoted to the analysis of the issue of territorial integrity of states in the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe of 1975 (the Helsinki Final Act) in the context of its anniversary reassessment. The focus is placed on the provisions of the Declaration of Principles, which constitute the normative foundation of the pan-European system of international relations, as well as on their significance for ensuring stability and security in Europe.

Results. The paper consistently examines the key principles of the Helsinki Final Act, including the sovereign equality of states, the non-use of force or threat of force, the inviolability of frontiers, territorial integrity, non-intervention in internal affairs, respect for the right of peoples to self-determination, as well as the prohibition of military occupation and the acquisition of territory as a result of the use of force. Particular attention is paid to the legal content of these norms and their interrelationship, which makes it possible to consider territorial integrity not in isolation, but as a system-forming element of the entire set of principles of international law.

The normative content of the principle of territorial integrity is analyzed, as well as its correlation with the principles of sovereign equality, inviolability of frontiers, and non-intervention in the internal affairs of states, and their systemic unity within the structure of the Helsinki Final Act. It is substantiated that the provisions enshrined in the Act possess not only political but also significant legal potential, which remains relevant in contemporary international relations.

Conclusions. In conclusion, it is emphasized that the principles under consideration retain a high degree of relevance in current international legal conditions, and that the Helsinki Final Act continues to serve as one of the key reference points for assessing the lawfulness of state actions from the perspective of international law, primarily in the context of protecting territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders.

Keywords: Helsinki Final Act of 1975, «basket», peace, territorial integrity, inviolability of frontiers, non-intervention in internal affairs, international law, Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE).

References

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2.  Hryhelenis Ya. A. Do pytannya pro pravovu pryrodu Helʹsinsʹkoho Zaklyuchnoho akta Narady z bezpeky ta spivrobitnytstva v Yevropi 1975. Radyansʹkyy shchorichnyk mizhnarodnoho prava. M.: Nauka, 1979. S. 44 (in Rus.). 3. The Helsinki Final Act. Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe: Final Act, Helsinki, 1975.

Дата першого надходження рукопису до видання: 29.01.2026
Дата прийнятого до друку рукопису після рецензування: 03.03.2026
Дата публікації: 24.03.2026