ROMANIAN-FRENCH RELATIONS AND THE ENTENTE POLICY TOWARDS ROMANIA IN THE CONTEXT OF THE FIRST BALKAN WAR Cover Image

ROMANIAN-FRENCH RELATIONS AND THE ENTENTE POLICY TOWARDS ROMANIA IN THE CONTEXT OF THE FIRST BALKAN WAR
ROMANIAN-FRENCH RELATIONS AND THE ENTENTE POLICY TOWARDS ROMANIA IN THE CONTEXT OF THE FIRST BALKAN WAR

Author(s): Pohoaţă Nicu
Subject(s): Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence
Published by: Editura Pro Universitaria
Keywords: Spheres of influence; alliance; Balkan confederation; eutrality; independent foreign policy; status quo; geo-strategic position.

Summary/Abstract: Romanian-French Relations and the Entente Policy towards Romania in the Context of the First Balkan War. The study examines the Romanian-French relations and Entente policy towards Romania during the First Balkan War. The author highlights the factors that formed the basis of the French-Romanian relations: the French-Russian alliance, the general interests of the Entente in South-Eastern Europe, relations between Romania and Bulgaria, Romania's relations with the Central Powers, public opinion in Romania, which showed sympathy for France,the pro-Entente orientation of Romanian politicians, the events during the "Balkan crisis" and others. Connecting its diplomatic actions with those of Russia, France proved to be a very active factor in influencing the political actions of the Romanian government, in accordance with the general interests of the Entente in South-Eastern Europe. The diplomatic steps taken in the Romanian capital were characterized by realism, but gradually highlighting a differentiated attitude from that of Russia toward the Romanian state. Like the English diplomacy, which turned out to be less active in Bucharest, the French diplomacy understood that Romania's strategy in its Balkan policy was based on its links with the Central Powers, which is why it was deceived by the assurances given by the Romanian authorities regarding the exclusive existence of an independent foreign policy of the Romanian state, in the context of the "Balkan crisis." That is why both France and England expressed skepticism about the possibility of attracting Romanian in the Entente and opposed its participation at the Peace Conference in London. Finally, France and England accepted Russia's attitude towards Romania, its interests being more significant in this geographical area compared to its Western partners. The geo-strategic position of Romania in particular was very important in case of war between Russia and Austria-Hungary, and it forced the Russian government to require perseverance in the policy of separation of Romania from the political orbit of the Central Powers and its attraction on the side of the Entente.

  • Issue Year: 2011
  • Issue No: 03
  • Page Range: 45-57
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: English