Hope for normality : Official Czechoslovak-Austrian Relations in the Sign of 'Perestroika' 1985-1990
Abstract
After 1985, Soviet 'perestroika' also contributed to the transformation of Czechoslovak-Austrian official relations. The pragmatically developed relationship with an emphasis on economic cooperation has gradually extended to other areas such as culture, science and higher education, while laying the foundation for future regional cooperation and town partnerships.
The symbolic milestone of this gradual rapprochement was the visit of Federal Chancellor Franz Vranitzky to Czechoslovakia in June 1988 and the agenda of areas of future cooperation decided at that time. However, this new development would not have been possible without the fundamental change in Soviet foreign policy towards the West at the time - and was one of the indirect effects of 'perestroika'.