See Also: Ostpolitik(dictionary)
Ostpolitik(encyclopedia)

Ostpolitik (sh)




(German: "Eastern Policy") West German foreign policy begun in the late 1960s.

Initiated by Willy Brandt as foreign minister and then chancellor, the policy was one of detente with Soviet-bloc countries, recognizing the East German government and expanding commercial relations with other Soviet-bloc countries. Treaties were concluded in 1970 with the Soviet Union, renouncing the use of force in their relations, and with Poland, recognizing Germany's 1945 losses east of the Oder-Neisse Line. The policy was continued by Chancellor Helmut Schmidt.