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Hungary Britain
To diversify support for its economic reforms, in the
mid1980s Hungary began to pursue relations with Britain. In
1984
Britain accounted for 4.3 percent of Hungary's exports to
the
West and 5.2 percent of its imports from the West. In the
mid1980s , Hungary was able to increase its trade with Britain
owing
to Britain's recovery from its economic recession, the
flexible
price policy of Hungarian economic enterprises, and a more
favorable international climate.
Kadar paid an official visit to Britain in the fall of
1985.
According to British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, the
two
sides shared common ideas "with regard to peace,
prosperity, and
security." The two governments admitted that differences
persisted, although they agreed to play a "useful role" in
creating good relations between the Warsaw Pact and NATO.
The good political climate facilitated the expansion of
cultural relations. Hungary and Britain carried out
bilateral
cultural and scientific exchanges within the context of an
agreement that was renewed every two years. In 1985
Glasgow held
a five-week festival of Hungarian culture. In addition,
the
British firm Pergamon Press published an English
translation of
Kadar's speeches and articles.
Data as of September 1989
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