Mediterranean Agreements

The term "Mediterranean Agreements" in the context of Austrian history refers to a series of diplomatic arrangements made in 1887. These agreements were part of a complex web of alliances orchestrated by German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck to maintain European stability and isolate France. The First and Second Mediterranean Agreements specifically involved Great Britain, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. Their primary goal was to prevent Russia from gaining access to the Turkish Straits and to preserve the status quo in the Balkan region and along the Ottoman coasts. These agreements allowed Austria-Hungary to reduce its direct reliance on Russia and strengthened its position against potential Russian expansionism, while also neutralizing potential conflicts between Austria-Hungary and Italy in the Balkans.12