In the Petersberg Agreement of November 22, 1949, it was noted that the West German government wanted an end to the state of war, but the request could not be granted. The U.S. state of war with Germany was maintained for legal reasons, and though it was softened somewhat, it was not suspended since "the U.S. wants to retain a legal basis for keeping a U.S. force in Western Germany".A Step Forward Time Magazine Monday, Nov. 28, 1949. At a meeting of the foreign ministers of France, the United Kingdom, and the United States in New York from September 12 to December 19, 1950, it was stated, among other measures to strengthen West Germany's position in the Cold War, that the western allies would "end by legislation the state of war with Germany".Staff. Full text of "Britannica Book Of The Year 1951" Open-Access Text Archive. Retrieved 11 August 2008 During 1951, many former Western Allies did end their state of war with Germany: Australia (9 July), Canada, Italy, New Zealand, The Netherlands (26 July), South Africa, and the United Kingdom (9 July)War's End Time Magazine, July 16, 1951Elihu Lauterpacht, C. J. Greenwood. International law reports. Volume 52, Cambridge University Press, 1979, , p. 505.James H. Marsh. World War II:Making the Peace , The Canadian Encyclopedia . Retrieved 11 August 20081951 in History BrainyMedia.com. Retrieved 11 August 2008H. Lauterpacht (editor), International law reports Volume 23. Cambridge University Press , p. 773.US Code—Title 50 Appendix—War and National Defense , U.S. Government Printing Office . The state of war between Germany and the Soviet Union was ended in early 1955.Spreading Hesitation Time Magazine Monday, Feb. 07, 1955 Sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Germany was granted on May 5, 1955, by the formal end of the military occupation of its territory. Special rights were however maintained, for example in relation to West Berlin, which was not permitted to formally become part of the Federal Republic. A military presence was also maintained until the full implementation, in 1994, of the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany (also known as the Two Plus Four Treaty), signed in 1990.
