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Josip Broz Tito's Visit to Great Britain in 1953

Good relations between Yugoslavia and Great Britain in 1950's, beside their ideological and political differences, need to be viewed from in the context of the then dominating cold-war policy. Yugoslavia's detachment from the Soviet Union was seen in the western political circles as a possibility which might inspire the other 'satellite' countries to make a similar move. From that position, Yugoslavia gained benefits, in short and long terms: it was receiving economic and military assistance necessary after the break-up with the countries of 'people's democracy', which enabled it to realise its economic plans. Political benefits were also considerable: although it was still considered a Communist country, some reforms in the area of economy and government shaped into a new ideological experiment draw the interest of western countries, which were expecting that its development would be moving towards the western models of democracy. In that context should one see Tito's visit to Great Britain in the beginning of 1953. Although the visit did not result in any significant agreements, both sides benefited from it: Yugoslavia, and especially its President, restored the highly valued prestige ; Britain confirmed its interest and role in that area. The subject matter which could have placed a burden on the visit - the issue of treatment of religious congregations in Yugoslavia, was addressed with much understanding, because the positions of both the British and the Yugoslav sides on the reasons of the conflict of the authorities with the Catholic Church were in many aspects identical.

Yugoslavia; Great Britain; Cold War

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