The inter-Balkan rapprochement

The Balkan states showed a strong determination to seek new ways in order to confront the international problems collectively. The economic crisis which started in 1929 and by the early 1930s has spread in the whole of Europe, resulted in a decrease in the purchasing power of the Balkan states and in protectionism, thus influencing negatively the economies of central and southern European states. In an effort to alleviate the problem, Rumania and Yugoslavia participated in an international forum which aimed to create a network of economic cooperation amongst the states of central Europe and of the Balkan region.

In parallel, the Balkan states explored the option of a Balkan Confederation in the early 1930s, with the participation of all states which geographically belonged to the Balkan peninsula. The Greek government played a crucial role in the convocation of the first Balkan Conference (Athens, October 1930). By 1933, the Balkan states had institutionalised yearly conferences (Istanbul, October 1932; Bucharest, October 1933; Salonica, November 1933), which intended to strengthen inter-Balkan cooperation, to assist the resolution of bilateral differences between the member-states and to form a bloc of states as a pole of stability in the European system.