The Principality of Sealand 1992
The Principality of Sealand is a sovereign state in the sense of international law. It fulfils all conditions required of a sovereign state by legislation. This is confirmed by various legal reports, among others by Prof. Dr. Walter Leisner, University of Erlangen and by Dr. Béla Vitányi, Professor in Public International Law, University of Nijmegen. In addition, the Principality of Sealand fulfils all requirements of a modern, democratic legal state. The Principality of Sealand has a democratic constitution and separation of powers into the legislative and the executive.
The official languages are German and English.
Location of the Principality of Sealand
The Principality of Sealand is located in the North Sea, latitude 51°5340 north and longitude 1°2857 east. The Principality of Sealand can be reached by air via London and Southend on Sea (GB), from where there is a helicopter connection to the Principality of Sealand. Entry and stay is possible only with the permission of the government of the Principality of Sealand.

History
During World War II the United Kingdom established several base platforms in the North Sea to fight the German Airforce and its V missiles. After the end of the war, the British army retreated from these flak and radar stations and blew them all up, curiously leaving Roughs Tower", which was outside the three-mile zone valid at that time and thus in international waters. In 1967 the United Kingdom's Admiralty left Roughs Tower". When the British struck the flag, a historically unique situation ensued, the creation of an unoccupied territory. Soon after, Roy Bates took possession of this island and proclaimed an independent state: the Principality of Sealand. Just two years later, this legal action would not have been possible due to significant changes in the maritime law, and so, this event remains unique in history. The Principality of Sealand does not belong to the United Kingdom, a fact which was confirmed on 25th October 1968 at Shire Hall, Chelmsfort, Essex, by an English Court of Justice, and confirmed also in diplomatic correspondence by the Ministry of Finances of the Federal Republic of Germany of 14th June 1977 IV C5-S 1300-118/77, and the Ministry of Finances of Belgium of 25th May 1980, 1/3 R9 DIV/313.941..

Relations to Other Nations
The Principality of Sealand is absolutely neutral in its relations to other nations. The Principality of Sealand is heeding its independence and its right of self-determination within the scope of the international law.
The main interest of the Principality of Sealand is centred on economic fields. This means economic relations with partner countries, with companies in world trade operating according to specific national laws. At present, the Principality of Sealand does not wish to be integrated into ideological blocks or systems by international or general agreements. Politically, the Principality of Sealand can not and does not want to become a world power. However, the advantages of a micro-state like an administrative apparatus limited to a minimum, reliable and competent negotiating partners make for a high degree of flexibility. This flexibility is more and more recognised and made use of by other states and governments as partner in the completion of international deals or as mediator in diplomatic missions.
To define the status of the Principality of Sealand quite clearly:
The Principality of Sealand is a state with the qualities of a businss group, which means the Principality of Sealand knows neither civil servants nor functionaries, it exclusively knows active collaborators!
The Principality of Sealand is represented only by those who contribute to the achievement of its targets and thus to the development of the Principality of Sealand.

The Principality of Sealand and Western Europe
Since the end of World War II, the classic nations of Europe have been moving closer to co-ordinate their interests. This closing of ranks in precisely defined fields like economy, finance, agriculture, defence etc. is to secure competitive advantages and to compensate problems in the economies of the individual nations which they cannot overcome by themselves. Increasing difficulties are caused by the attempt to harmonise and integrate the quite different and complex infrastructures of these countries, since there are quite a number of contrary interests at play in the EU. In this respect, the political powers in Europe currently are not succeeding in changing the existing infrastructures by direct measures. Political influence is exerted mainly by subsidies. In political economics, however, Subsidies can at best only effect repairs - "holes are filled" - there is not enough leeway for fundamental changes. The highly developed European countries with their high standards of living and high expectations of their citizens are more seriously concerned than all other states. They have to act quickly if they want to continue to take part in world events and world business". And it is here that the Principality of Sealand finds its unique historical chance to act - through its strategy geared to economics and according to its tenets - as a catalyst and to fill recognised vacancies.
The Principality of Sealand and Eastern Europe
The situation will continue to worsen due to the breakdown of communism throughout the Eastern Bloc. It will take years or even decades until its peoples or individuals will live in better circumstances.
To accelerate the changeover from the planned economy to a market economy, the Principality of Sealand is setting the following priorities:
Agriculture
An expansion of agriculture by small and middle-sized farms is necessary in order to re-form the neglected rural areas into more attractive structures and at the same time to relieve the overcrowded regions. As a result, millions of jobs and the food supply will automatically be secured and improved both in the short and long term.
Industry
The leading position in military and space technology could - based on existing and future know-how with a simultaneous reduction of the armaments industry - quickly achieve the transition to a consumer economy. By using the enormous reserves of natural resources these countries could strive to realise sovereignty and competitiveness on the world market under their own steam.
Environment
In the light of what has been learnt from the catastrophic damages caused globally by the abuse of the environment, all possibilities must be taken into consideration in building up and converting both the agricultural and the industrial modernisation process. It is here that, as in western countries, an industry will develop that again based on existing damages - will secure many new jobs and will contribute to an improved quality of life. Only in a tolerable environment the goals that promote and guarantee the creativity and motivation of the individual can be reached.
Democracy/Objectives and Realisation
The government of the Principality of Sealand wishes to assist these young democracies with this very difficult process during which setbacks always might occur in building and realising these goals, like the necessary tolerance towards the freedom of religion, the acceptance of contrary opinions and the rights of minorities.

Policy for the Nineties
Initially, with all clarity and irrevocably, the government of the Principality of Sealand declares that it shall neither participate in businesses or activities nor cover any trade or acts associated with:
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weapons or parts of weapons, plans of armament systems or similar
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narcotics or other internationally indexed drugs or similar
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chemicals that are highly dangerous or could be used for weapon-like products
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pornography, articles endangering ethics and morals
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terrorism of all kinds, also of political provenance.
As already mentioned, the main focus of the Principality of Sealands policy is on economics. Throughout the world, the Principality of Sealand has numerous representatives actively mediating trade in free-trade areas and representing the interests of the Principality of Sealand and its partners in the host countries. Trade is primarily operated through a database connected to the Principality of Sealand. The turnover achieved by the associated companies was about 2 billion US$ in 1990 and about 2.2 billion US$ in 1991. An extension of these representations is the priority for the coming years.

The Principality of Sealand
Its programme is to take advantage of its chances.
Regarding the principles outlined above, neither physical size nor the number of armies are decisive factors, important is solely the existence according to international law. The efforts by the Principality of Sealand must be based on self-confidence. Yet Sealand must recognise and respect its own limitations. The territory of the Principality of Sealand is small and it will remain small, irrespective of how many structures will be added out there in the North Sea. But the Principality of Sealand can achieve more than could be assumed from its mere size. lt is the concern of its active citizens and friends to find and then consistently follow the right paths with the necessary instinct. The main theme of the policy is illustrated in this quote by the philosopher Epicurus who, in recognising what is humanly possible, rightly said:
"It makes no sense to demand from the Gods what one can achieve oneself."
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Johannes W. F. Seiger
Prime Minister /Chairman of the Privy Council
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Josef Baier
Minister of Foreign Affiars
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Dr. A. Oomen
Syndicus
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