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NEW EU MEMBERS OF CENTRAL AND
EASTERN EUROPE
Landscape of the European Integration
Tibor Palánkai
Emeritus Professor
Corvinus University of Budapest
Master Course
2014
Prof. Palánkai Tibor
Sub-Regions of Europe
The Europe is structured by geo-political sub-regions. (37 cs.)
1. „Old” EU members:
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North W.E. : DE, BE, NL, LU and AT (SW);

Scandinavian EU: DK, FL and SE (NW);
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South W. E.: FR, IT. IE and UK ;
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South (Mediterranean) EU: EL, ES, PT, ML, CY.
2. Eastern New Members:
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Central Europe: CR, CZ, HU, PL, SK and SL;
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Baltic Countries: EE, LT and LV;
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East Balkan: BG and RO;
3. Candidates – W. B.: AL,B-H. FYROM, MN, KO, SB. +TR.
4. Former Soviet Union: „Eastern Europe”.
PATTERN OF DIFFERENCES
1. Differences in levels of development.
2. State, speed and the depth of the transformation.
3. The differences in economic situation and
stabilization.
4. The social and political situations,
5. State of internal ethnic relations,
6. State of global (EU) integration,
7. Differences in historical, cultural, religious traditions.
Groups of CEEcs
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The six CEcs, the "Visegrad Four" (Czech and
Slovak Republic, Hungary and Poland), Slovenia
and Croatia.
Balkan countries: Eastern Balkan (Bulgaria
and Romania –EU members) and Western
Balkan: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia
Kosovo,Macedonia, Monte Negro (candidates)
Baltic republics: Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia.
Former Soviet Union. Often considered as
„Eastern Europe”.
Pattern of CEE Region
The countries of CEE region differ in many respect, and
often substantially. The heritage of division
between East and West is further complicated by
great historical, economic, social, cultural
differences among the countries of the former
Soviet Empire and Balkan. We can examine these
countries according several parameters, we can
distinguish in several type of groupings.
CENTRAL EUROPE
The six Eastern Central European countries, which are
distinguished from Western Central Europe: Austria,
Italy (Veneto and Lombardy) or Germany (Bavaria
and Baden Württemberg) or even Switzerland.
ECE joined EU in the first round from 2004, except
Croatia, which entered the Union in 2013.
Romania and Bulgaria often claim to be Central
European (joined in 2007).
BALKAN
“Eastern Balkan”:
, Romania and Bulgaria. In EU from 2007.
„Western Balkan” countries (Albania, Serbia (Kosovo),
Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina):
they negotiated Stabilisation and Association
Agreements, prospective members. (Confirmed at
Thessalonica by European Council on June 19-20,
2003.) Macedonia (FYROM), Montenegro and Serbia
are candidates (later two in negotiation).
FORMER SOVIET UNION
Former Soviet Union - Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova
and Caucus (Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia).
Covered by Eastern Partnership (Association
Agreements).
The former Soviet ruled Central Asian countries
have strong traditional relations to Russia, but
their language (mostly Turk) and culture-religion
(Islam) differ substantially.
RUSSIA AND THE EU
Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (signed in
1994, entered in force in 1997). Replacement
agreement under negotiation since 2008 (WTO).
Instead of Eastern Partnership four Common
Spaces (Freedom, External Security or Culture).
Common Economic Space (removal of trade
barriers based on non-discrimination, promotion
of investments, competitiveness and good
governance).
Eurasian Economic Union
Based on Customs Union Belarus, Kazakhstan
and Russia from 2010.
Eurasian Economic Space active from 2012, and
Eurasian Economic Union, planned from 2015.
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan expressed interest.
Ukraine in August 2013 asked an observer status.
Armenia decision in September of 2013 to join.
Georgia and Vietnam expressed interest.
„Powerful supra-national union” – Putin.
Eurasian Economic Union
Continuation of Customs Union, uniting legal
systems and military capacities. Such areas are
affected as macroeconomics, regulation of
competition, energy and financial policies.
EU as model of integration.
Eurasian Commission created along the lines of
EU Commission headed by Vice premiers of
members.
Eurasian Economic Union
US expressed opposition to Eurasian Union as an
attempt to re-create Soviet Union. Rejection of
political and value orientation: Contrary to
European liberal integration model, autocratic
and theocratic political structures, deficit in legal
state, human rights and media freedom.
EU opposition rather technical (rejection to sign
association with a customs union country).
(Armenia or Ukraine).
Intra-group relations (like ASEAN or Mercosoure)
would be desirable. After Ukrainian crisis danger
of re-emergence of a certain cold war.
Differences in Levels Development
The level of development of Netherlands is only
60% higher of that of Portugal,
• The level of development of CEEcs (new EU10),
on average, is about 1/3-1/2 of the old EU15 (23 times differences),
• The difference between SL-CZ, and EL and PT
is minimal,
• The differences between SL and BG is 2 times,
• Difference between NL and BG is 3 times.
Differences in Levels Development 2012
The population of West-Balkan candidates is only about 17
million, absorption possible easily.
But high differences in level of development.
Macedonia
35% (EU 27=100)
Serbia
35%
Montenegro
43%
Bosnia-Herzegovina
28%
Albania
30%
Norway
195%
Switzwerlans
160%
Structure of economies of CEE
Industrialization started in the last third of 19th
century in CE, but only few sectors of modern
industries emerged. The two world wars brought
great damages. Others remained agricultural
countries. The rapid industrialization during the
1950s and 1960s turned the CEEcs into semideveloped industrial economies, accompanied
by rapid urbanization. Their export structures
was not competitive on Western markets.
Rapid modernisation and restructuring after 1990.
Historical cultural and religious
traditions
Central Europe: Historically linked to Roman empire (Latin
influences on culture),
Competition for influence by Germany and Russia, etc.
Catholic, Protestant and Jewish religious dominances.
Balkan: Historical links to Byzantine and Ottoman empire,
Russia historically seeking influence,
Orthodox, Islam and Jewish religious traditions.
Baltics: Competition for region among Sweden, Denmark,
Germany and Russia.
Protestant,Orthodox and Jewish influences and traditions.
History of nation building in CEE
There are 16 countries in the region (before 1990 only 8),
(collapse of SU and YU, - due to democratisation, and
acceptance of "self-determination"),
Newly created or re-created after 1990 (shorter or longer
existence before for example during the war): Croatia,
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia or Monte
Negro, Ukraine etc.
Others existing already in 1990 (no border change)
Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania (some being
independent kingdoms for longer time – Czechs also),
Each major ethnicities have their own state (except 6
million Roma), but no pure nation state (minorities).
Size of the Countries
2 larger countries: Poland 36 million and Romania
24 million population,
4 countries with about 7-10 million population:
Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Serbia,
5 small countries (around 3-6 million): Albania,
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Lithuania and
Slovakia,
5 mini-states (2 million or less): Estonia, Latvia,
Macedonia, Montenegro and Slovenia.
END
Thank you very much
Prof. Palánkai Tibor