Bulgaria's Initiative for the Construction of the Niš–Dimitrovgrad Road: An Attempt to Pressure Yugoslavia During the Cold War

Abstract

The article deals with the events arising from the needs of Bulgarian exports to COMECON and EEC countries through Yugoslavia in order to improve its balance payments. The paper analyzes the phases during which the Bulgarian side developed its policy of pressuring Yugoslavia to build a section of the international road. Bulgaria gradually increased pressure on Yugoslavia to
construct it according to the modern needs of international road traffic, from which Bulgaria benefited the most. However, the Yugoslav side managed to take the initiative during the negotiations and secure favorable conditions for the construction of the section of the international road. 

Summary: The article analyses Bulgaria’s attempt to solve a purely economic problem with Yugoslavia at a time when bilateral relations were not good. Despite directives from Moscow, Bulgaria had to be pragmatic due to the state of its economy. The accelerated modernization of the Bulgarian economy compelled it to increase exports to the EEC and COMECON countries. The transit of Bulgarian goods through Yugoslavia posed an acute problem, and the route through Yugoslavia was significantly shorter and faster than through Romania. By internationalizing the disputed issue and participating in financing the construction of the Niš–Dimitrovgrad section, as well as conducting a series of negotiations with the Yugoslav delegation, Bulgaria managed to compel Yugoslavia to change the priority of the mentioned road and expedite the completion of the works on the section. The Yugoslav officials proved to be very adept in addressing the emerging problem and eventually took the initiative, resulting in a modern roadway on the Niš–Dimitrovgrad route, complete with the bypasses around Pirot and Niš.