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Here are some excerpts from the main provisions of The General Act signed on 26 February 1885 by the 14 participating countries of the Berlin Conference.
Chapter I
[relating to the Congo River Basin]
I. The trade of all nations shall enjoy complete freedom
II. All flags, without distinction of nationality, shall have free access to the whole of the coastline of the territories. . .
III. Goods of whatever origin, imported into these regions, under whatsoever flag, by sea or river, or overland, shall be subject to no other taxes than such as may be levied as fair compensation for expenditure in the interests of trade...
IV. Merchandise imported into these regions shall remain free from import and transit [to be reviewed after 20 years]
V. No power which exercises or shall exercise sovereign rights in the ... regions shall be allowed to grant therein a monopoly or favour of any kind in matters of trade. . .
VI. All the powers exercising sovereign rights or influence in...





