Multilateralna dyplomacja państw środkowoeuropejskich przed i po 1989 roku

Abstract

The article discusses the roles played by multilateral diplomacy of the Central European states. These roles have changed following historical developments. In the interwar period Central European states had to establish their diplomatic services. Important role played at that time multilateral diplomacy within the League of Nations. After the II World War the Central European states were part of the Soviet sphere of influence and multilateral diplomats were active in communist organisations such as the Warsaw Pact and the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA). However, multilateral principles such as indivisibility, diffused reciprocity and generalized principles of conduct were not applied. In the UN system and the CSCE Central European diplomats represented interests of Soviet Block. After regaining independence in 1989 Central European states founded regional organisations such as the Visegrad Group and the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), as well as acceded Western organizations, such as the Council of Europe, economic and financial organizations (World Bank, IMF, OECD), NATO and the European Union. Today multilateral diplomacy plays important role in foreign services of Central European states.