Poland’s Place in the Austrian Neighborhood Policy in the 1970s

This chapter presents an overview of post-war Polish-Austrian relations from the perspective of Polish archival documents. Using historical research methods, Poland’s place is characterized in the context of the broadly defined “Good Neighborhood” Policy implemented by Austria after 1955. The first chapter is intended as an introduction to further considerations of Austria’s engagement with the Eastern states during the final period of the “Cold War.” The narrative is divided into two parts. The first covers the most important stages of bilateral relations up to 1970, while the second examines the decade of the 1970s abounding in the successful results of the “Good Neighborhood” Policy. In the second part, aside from the balance of economic exchanges, there were also elements of support for Polish affairs on the international stage. During this period, Poland undertook independent plans for security in Europe, tailored to its political and decision-making capabilities. It continuously strove for changes within the rules imposed by Moscow, with a sense of building its own state.