39. One Principal neans of pror0oting naEional security has been the pursuance ofpolicies of staying outside nllitary alLiances. The policy of neutraliEy practised by a feu' nainly European, countries is one such policy. Bistorically a functionof great Pop€ r relations and armed host.ilit.ies in Europe, i! has currently evolvedin response lo the East-West conflict. In strict usage, the term neutralily is apPllcable only in tines of nar, indicating the legal status of a State tsbat has declared itself neutral in relation to the bell,igerents during a rneal hostllities. The righCs and obligations of neutrals i,n tines of nar are Laid do{rn ininternational larr. In order to renain neutral in war a State abstains from Participation in the war efforts of the belligerents. In a rrar situation, the ffague Conventi.ons of 1907 and 1912 have to be taken into account. Aa long as a State acts in accordance rrlth the international rules on neutrallty, international Iaw aafeguards the status of neutrality. There are no rules of internatlonal law concerning how a neut.ral State nuat act in peace-tine. Neutral SCaCes are thus not required to refrain fron taking a positl.on on political, econorni.c or social issuesfacing the international connunity. 40. Neutratity ln war and policles during peace-time are necessarily connected.In sone instances, neutraLity has been confirmed by international guarantees or reinforced Chrough constiEutional arrangenents. Most inportantlyr bowever, theneutral States avoid such peace-t.iEe connltnents a6 rnight jeopardize thepossibility of upholding neutrality in ear-tlne and therefore do nob participate innllitary alliances. A160 in other respects a pol icy is pursued that inspires and suslains the confidence in the deternlnation and ablllty to renain neutral and independent in sar-tine. 41. The pursuit of a policy of neut.rality alms at, ensurlng the securily of neutral countr ies in accordance with their national interests. One basic characterigeic of