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: North W.E. : DE, BE, NL, LU and AT (SW); Scandinavian EU: DK, FL and SE (NW); South W. E.: FR, IT. IE and UK ; South (Mediterranean) EU: EL, ES, PT, ML, CY.2. Eastern New Members: Central Europe: CR, CZ, HU, PL, SK and SL; Baltic Countries: EE, LT and LV; 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

• 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 (2-3 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 semi-developed 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