From intermarium to the three seas initiative—the implications of the polish orientation over the central and eastern european region on Hungarian foreign policy

Abstract

The concepts of Polish foreign policy in the twentieth century exerted a special influence over Hungary, with both countries having shared common historical experience based on their changing borders and geographical locations, as well as being located between two great powers. This position thus determined their orientation and also influenced their foreign policy. This chapter deals with an analysis of Polish and Hungarian cooperation from the early twentieth century, adopting the Intermarium concept and the Three Seas Initiative as reference points. This regional initiative reflected a necessity in contribution based on its disadvantageous position, with these problem-solving methods determining the orientation of the selected countries. Within this chapter, the author wishes to examine whether European integration could modify the Polish concept, while looking at what role the Three Seas Initiative could play in respect of Hungarian foreign policy.