Külügyi Szemle - A Magyar Külügyi Intézet folyóirata - 2011 (10. évfolyam)
2011 / 4. szám - DIPLOMÁCIA- ÉS KÜLPOLITIKA-TÖRTÉNET - Békés Csaba: Magyar külpolitika a bipoláris világban, 1945-1991
Magyar külpolitika a bipoláris világban Hungarian foreign policy vis-ä-vis Hungarian-Soviet relations can be described as the policy of constructive loyalty. The main features of this conduct entailed conflict prevention on the one hand - primarily with regard to political issues discussed at multilateral forums - flexibility and uninterrupted adjustment to Soviet requirements and willingness to cooperate, on the other. In this context, Hungary played a mediating role in the Warsaw Pact throughout this period, the CMEA and during multilateral negotiations. By contrast, constructive loyalty implied that despite all these factors, the constraints could be gradually loosened: the content of this principle until 1988 implied that 'what is not forbidden is (perhaps) allowed'. Another important aspect of this policy implied that the Hungarian leadership - taking advantage of its status acquired through loyalty - tried to influence the Soviet leadership within the framework of bilateral relations, which served the specific interests of Hungary and the other East Central European countries. Whereas this endeavour did not always yield results, in a number of instances it was possible to exercise positive influence on the Moscow leadership regarding fundamental issues affecting East-West developments. Hungarian foreign policy assumed a specific and a relatively independent character already at the end of the nineteen-seventies. In this context, Hungary, interested in maintaining and promoting detente, intensified economic and political relations with Western countries in a spectacular way in the years between 1980-1985, precisely when US-Soviet superpower relations slumped to an unprecedented all-time low since the Cuban missile crisis. Qualitative changes in foreign policy and the domestic situation alike became ostensible in 1988 as a consequence of the positive changes in the international political arena following Gorbachev's ascent to power. At this time - in the evolving new world order built on cooperation - the silhouette of a concept envisaging Hungary as a bridge- maker between East and West started to take shape. While this concept still stipulated the continued existence of the given alliance frameworks (Warsaw Pact, CMEA) it also expected the major democratic transformation of these organisations and thus they would not further hinder Hungary in establishing relations with any country or institution worldwide to serve Hungary's national interests. This new, dynamic, proactive and in certain cases definitely risk taking foreign policy was in practice aimed at accomplishing a kind of cjuasi-neutrality that comprised the essence of Hungarian ambitions from 1988 until the free elections in 1990. 2011. tél 127
