NOVELTY - A membrane electrode assembly (1) comprises second gasket material (7, 9) on a front of a first gasket layer (15) and on a back of the second gasket layer. Each of the gasket layers comprises a recess (11, 12). The second gasket material on the front of first gasket layer is in contact with the second gasket material on the back of the second gasket layer.    USE - For producing fuel cells (claimed).    ADVANTAGE - The membrane electrode assembly produces fuel cells having high long-term stability.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A membrane electrode assembly comprises two electrochemically active electrodes separated by a polymer electrolyte membrane (5). The surfaces of the polymer electrolyte membrane are in contact with the electrodes in such a way that the first electrode partially or totally covers the front of the polymer electrolyte membrane and the second electrode partially or totally covers the back of the polymer electrolyte membrane. Two gasket layers made of a first gasket material are provided. The first gasket layer partially covers the front of the polymer electrolyte membrane and/or the first electrode and the second gasket layer partially covers the back of the polymer electrolyte membrane and/or the second electrode. The membrane electrode assembly comprises a second gasket material on the front of the first gasket layer and on the back of the second gasket layer. Each of the gasket layers comprises a recess. The second gasket material on the front of first gasket layer is in contact with the second gasket material on the back of the second gasket layer.    INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for the following:    (A) a method of production of polymer electrolyte membrane mixing aromatic tetraamino compounds with aromatic carboxylic acids and/or esters containing at least two acid groups per carboxylic acid monomer, or mixing aromatic and/or heteroaromatic diaminocarboxylic acids in polyphosphoric acid to form a solution and/or dispersion; applying a layer using the mixture under inert gas to up to 350, preferably 280degreesC to form the polyazole polymer; and treating the membrane formed until it is self-supporting; and    (B) a method for the production of a membrane electrode assembly comprising providing each of the gasket layers with recess; partially or totally filling the recess the second gasket material; and applying the second gasket material on the front of the first gasket layer and on the back of the second gasket layer.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure is a perspective view of the membrane electrode assembly.    Membrane electrode assembly (1)    Polymer electrolyte membrane (5)    Second gasket material (7, 9)    Recess (11, 12)    First gasket layer (15)