Romania's participation in the Agricultural Conference in Moscow, 2–3 February 1960

Abstract

Investigating the origins of Romania's detachment from the Soviet Union, this article focuses on Romania's participation in two bloc economic gatherings: the Agricultural Conference held on 2–3 February 1960 in Moscow and the seventh session of the CMEA Permanent Commission on Scientific–Technical Collaboration in the Field of Agriculture and Forestry, held in Sofia (Bulgaria) on 12–14 May 1960. Drawing on recently declassified documents from the archive of the Central Committee of the Romanian Communist Party, the study argues that Romania's opposition to the rest of the bloc – the USSR included – could be traced as early as February–May 1960 and that this opposition was triggered by the Romanian leaders' perceptions of threats to Romania's interests.