International relations within Comecon is best discussed under three separate categories, as the nature of the relationships between the Soviet Union and its constituent members were not homogeneous.
By the 1980s, both parties were accustomed to this arrangement, which was still particularly advantageous to The Soviet Union, as it could expand its energy and raw materials complex quickly, and relatively cheaply.
The OPEC price for oil had soared, placing the oil-rich Soviet Union in an advantageous position.
In response to the market, the Soviet Union decreased its exports to its East European partners and increased its purchases of soft goods from these countries.
Although the Soviets carried most of the burden since 1976, the East Europeans had been persuaded to take part in projects to boost the developing countries' economies.
Eastern Europe also contributed to the International Investment Bank, from which the underdeveloped three could acquire loans at lower interest rates than the East Europeans themselves.
Given their locations, Comecon membership for Mongolia, Cuba, and Vietnam principally served Soviet foreign policy interests.
It imported most of Cuba's sugar and nickel, and all of Mongolia's copper and molybdenum (widely used in the construction of aircraft, automobiles, machine tools, gas turbines, and in the field of electronics).
At the November 1986 Comecon session in Bucharest, the East European members "outlined measures to further improve cooperation with Vietnam, Cuba, and Mongolia with a view to developing the main sectors of these countries' national economies".
From the 1960s to the mid-1980s, Comecon had sought to encourage the development of industry, energy, transportation, mineral resources, and agriculture of Third World countries.
Comecon countries had also provided technical and economic training for personnel in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
This policy had provided Comecon with a stable source of necessary deliveries, in addition to political influence in these strategically important areas.