possibilities for a balanced reduction of offensive weapons in a flexible give-and-take process. In this context the forthcoming meeting between President Ronald Reagan and General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev assumes high importance. The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany has long been advocating such a summit meeting. It hopes that the meeting will not only impart impetus to arms control but also start . a process that will create a better and more robust basis for relations between East and West. But let us be fully aware that the complexity of the aims and substance of the Geneva negotiations necessitates patience. It would be illusory to expect quick results. There are no easy solutions for the difficult problems to be solved in Geneva. The military use of space is one of the main subjects of the present discussion . It is not always borne in mind that space has long been used for military purposes. In East and West it is indeed an important element of the existing security structure. The vital thing is to prevent an arms race in space that would destabilize the security situation . To this end, co-operative solutions are indispensable; these must be negotiated in Geneva. The Soviet Union has repeatedly stated that militarization of space would render reductions in offensive weaponry impossible. However , we must not overlook the fact that the relationship between defensive weaponry wherever they are deployed and offensive weaponry is a mutual relationship, each affecting the other. The nature and quantity of offensive weapons have an impact on defensive systems and vice versa. The joint declaration by the United States of America and the soviet Union of 8 January 1985 expressly recognizes this intrinsic JVM/12 A/C.l/40/PV.ll 49-50 (Mr. Lautenschlager, Federal Republic of Germany) interrelation between offensive and defensive arms, referring it for discussion to 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the topic of arms control and disarmament, specifically the reduction of offensive weapons and the prevention of an arms race in space. It mentions the upcoming meeting between President Reagan and General Secretary Gorbachev, as well as the Geneva negotiations. The text also touches on the relationship between defensive and offensive weaponry. Given the focus on international relations, diplomacy, and security, it is likely that the text falls under a category related to international affairs.

**Category**
International relations