Československo v Nové Evropé
Czechoslovakia in New Europe

Author(s): Hubert Ripka
Subject(s): International relations/trade, Post-War period (1950 - 1989)
Published by: CEEOL Digital Reproductions / Collections
Summary/Abstract: It was my special task to try to explain to both the international and Czechoslovak public the problems and tasks of our foreign policy. I devoted my main attention to foreign and international political matters throughout our liberation campaign; this was also related to my position as State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I considered it a great honor that this responsible task fell to me at this time and that I could carry it out under the political leadership of President Beneš in close, constant cooperation with him. The task was not always easy; and understandably so, because Central and Eastern Europe is not sufficiently known in the Western world. It was particularly difficult to gain understanding for our concept of an allied policy with the Soviet Union; we were hindered in this by the politics and propaganda of certain Polish circles, who proclaimed the advantage of creating a "middle zone" from the Baltic to the Aegean Sea and thus effectively separating Russia from Europe. On the other hand, we have constantly emphasized the vital necessity of close allied cooperation between East and West.

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