THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY IN THE FOREIGN POLICY OF THE USSR IN THE YEARS OF «PERESTROIKA»

Zinaida Svyaschenko,

Dr. Habil. (History), Professor,

Pavlo Tychyna Uman State Pedagogical University, Uman, Ukraine

 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/2524-048X.2024.28.2

 

Abstract. The article examines the process of slow convergence of the USSR during the years of «perestroika» with the European Community, attempts have been made to determine the reasons for the gradual convergence. The purpose of the study is to characterize the place of the European Community in the foreign policy of the USSR during the years of “perestroika” in the context of the concept of «new thinking». It is noted, that the plans for the creation of the internal market of the European Community countries were met with deep concern in the USSR and other countries of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance. It was they who pushed for more decisive actions and played their role in changing the position regarding the EEC. The economic and political transformations of the second half of the 1980s, which were actively carried out in the USSR, met with approval in Europe.

It is emphasized, that the economic factor became a new element of policy regarding the EEC during the Gorbachev period. According to the tradition that developed before this, political and military aspects of the process were taken into account the most. The conclusion of the Agreement on trade and economic cooperation with the EEC was the logical consequence of such a change. Economic cooperation with the EEC was included in the foreign policy priorities.

It is concluded, that during the period of «perestroika» the relations of the USSR with the European Community underwent drastic changes. These changes were influenced by a number of factors, among which the most important were the ratification of the Single European Act and the development of the EEC program of the single internal market until 1992. The Community’s concrete assistance to M. Gorbachev’s «perestroika» had an undeniable influence on the position regarding the EEC.

Another important change, as a result of which the signing of the agreement with the EEC became possible, was a radical rethinking of the concept of interdependence. It happened gradually from ascertaining the development of the processes of internationalization and integration to the recognition of the fact of interdependence between states of different social systems. Only during the period of perestroika did it become possible to conclude the desirability of interdependence as a factor that stabilizes international relations. However, all these changes in approaches were primarily characteristic of a rather narrow circle of politicians. At the same time, they helped to change the official position.

It was these factors that pushed M. Gorbachev to develop the idea of a «common European home», which became a component of the concept of «new thinking» in the foreign policy of the USSR.

Key words: European integration, European Community, economic cooperation, «perestroika», USSR, «new thinking».

 

Submitted 03.02.2024

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