Mediterranean Agreements (1887)

The Mediterranean Agreements (German Mittelmeerentente; French Entente de la Méditerranée) were a series of treaties signed in 1887 by the United Kingdom with the Italy on 12 February (through the mediation of Germany), with Austria-Hungary on March 24 and with Spain on May 4. Further notes were exchanged between Britain, Italy and Austria-Hungary on 12 December.

On the face of it the treaties recognised the status quo in the Mediterranean Sea. In fact, one of the objectives was to halt the expansion of the Russian Empire in the Balkans and her wish to control the straits of the Bosphorus and Dardanelles. From that perspective it also assured the survival of the Ottoman Empire. It also protected Italian interests against France. Thus it united forces hostile to Russia in the Balkans and to France in North Africa.

From the point of view of the German chancellor Otto von Bismarck, the benefit of these agreements to which Germany was not a party, was in bringing Britain closer to the Triple Alliance of Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary. This advantage proved short-lived since Britain achieved a rapprochement with Russia. The Alliance was dissolved in 1896 when Wilhelm II, German Emperor alienated Great Britain with his "Kruger telegram".

The treaty potentially conflicted with the Reinsurance Treaty of 1888, between Germany and Russia. In the secret protocol to the Reinsurance Treaty, Bismarck lent support to Russia's expansion efforts. Thus the Mediterranean Agreement, while not a de jure contradiction of the Reinsurance Treaty was at least contrary to its spirit.

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