The Community’s Relations with Eastern Europe Through 1988

Abstract

Until 1988, neither the Community nor EPC played a significant role in relations with Eastern Europe. Relations between Eastern and Western Europe were constrained by the Cold War, leaving little room anyway for the Community/EPC to act. But the member states also retained control over their bilateral relations with the East European states, thereby limiting any potential role for the Community/EPC. They did, however, cooperate on some aspects of relations with Eastern Europe: they forged a common position on the Community ’s relations with the CMEA, or Comecon and its members; they coordinated their positions on the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE); and they agreed on a common response to the 1981 Polish crisis, in contrast to the US position. In so doing, the member states clarified their common interests and established precedents for cooperation.