The book examines the rapprochement between Greece and Eastern Europe during the Cold War. ''Ostpolitik'', which translates to ''Opening to the East'' is used to describe the policy of conducting affairs with the Soviet Bloc. Using primary sources from Greece, Eastern European States, Cyprus, NATO, the United States, Germany and United Kingdom, this book provides historical and foreign policy analysis of a tumultuous period in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The book first illustrates Greece's position in the Cold War confrontation before moving to more detailed analysis of the Eastern Bloc's policies towards Greece and Cyprus with an emphasis in the harmonious relationship between the Greek military dictatorship and the Communist countries (1967-1974). It analyses the U-turn in Greek foreign and defence policy and the replacement of the Communist ''devil'' by a new one, an equally capitalist country and NATO-ally, Turkey. The book also covers Greece's efforts to elicit the Communist countries' support against a member of its own Western alliance, as well as the NATO response to this existential threat against its coherence.

A comprehensive study of the East-West competition in South-Eastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean during the Cold War, this volume is ideal for researchers and students interested in the international relations of twentieth century Europe and the historical background of the still hot Greek-Turkish Conflict.

Autorentext
Andreas Stergiou is Associate Professor at the Department of Economics University of Thessaly specialised on European Institutions and International Relations and Teaching Fellow at the Open University of Greece. Degrees: B.A., History (Department of History, Ionian University) 1995 (Greek State Scholarship Foundation and Minor Asia Refugees Foundation). Magister and Ph.D. (with distinction), Contemporary History and Political Science (University of Mannheim, Germany) 1996-2001 (Greek State Scholarship Foundation Alexander Onassis Public Benefit Foundation, Kölner Foundation, Hermann Weber Foundation) Germany. Postdoc in History of International relations (Department of History, Ionian University) 20042006 funded by the EU. Postdoctoral seminar on American Politics and Political Thought, Donahue Institute, University of Massachusetts, Amherst (Summer 2010) State Department Scholarship. Visiting Research Fellow at the Truman Institute for advancement of Peace in the Hebrew University in 2013 and 2018 and Research Affiliate 2014-2015, at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IMEMO) in Moscow in 2015, at the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy (ADA University) in 2017 and at the Princeton University of the United States (Stanley J. Seeger '52 Center for Hellenic Studies) in 2020. He has been Teaching Fellow at the University of Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, University of Crete, at the Diplomatic Academy of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the National School of Public Administration, at the Hellenic Open University, at the National Trade Confederation (ESEE) as well as at the School-Research Center of the Union for Civil Servants (ADEDY). He has published in French, English, Greek and German, Portuguese.

Inhalt
Introduction.- Chapter 1:Greece's Position in the Cold War Confrontation.- Chapter 2: The Cold War in Balkan and in the Eastern Mediterranean.- Chapter 3: East Bloc's Policy Towards Greece and Cyprus.- Chapter 4: Western Response to Soviet Penetration into the Region.- Chapter 5: The Israel-Arab and the Greek-Turkish Confrontation.- Chapter 6: The Role of the Mosow-Friendly Political Parties during the Cold War.- Chapter 7: The Rapprochement Between Greece and Eastern Europe during the Military Dictatorship of 1967-1974.- Chapter 8: Greece's Ostpolitik in the 1970s.- Chapter 9: PASOK's Foreign Policy Course towards Socialist Countries in the 1980s.- Chapter 10: Repercussions of Greece's Opening to the Communist Countries.- Conclusions.