Establishing Relations with My Ideological Enemy: Polish People’s Republic and the Kingdom of Greece (1948–1974)

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this article is to present and explain the very complex and quite enigmatic economic relations between the Polish People’s Republic and the Kingdom of Greece, which belonged to different political and military blocks during the Cold War. The relationship between the two countries developed as a matter of priority, in contrast to what was happening in Europe at the time, and was not influenced by internal political developments. Although Greece was in a civil war and Poland was supporting the Greek Communists, both countries sought to reestablish diplomatic and commercial relations. In the 1950s, relations between them began to develop, and in the 1960s, they had reached an ultimate level. Poland initially exported capital goods to Greece and then also expanded trade relations by exporting consumer goods too. Poland also imported agricultural products and minerals mainly from Greece and made significant investments in Greece by building many factories there. Even the compensation issue, which was considered intractable, came to an end after brief negotiations for the benefit of both parties. Economic relations remained stable even during the dictatorship in Greece. At the same time, athletic and cultural relations were developed, with Poland taking most of the initiative.