Central and Eastern Europe's Crisis of Convergence

As the European Union prepares for reform, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe are coming to a crossroads. Some have shown interest in drawing closer to the bloc: The leaders of Slovakia and the Czech Republic recently said that their countries belong in the bloc's "core," and a Romanian minister said the country could join the eurozone within five years. But others are keeping their distance: The Hungarian and Polish governments insisted that the European Union has no right to interfere with their domestic affairs. These moves show that the region is becoming aware that strategic decisions on their future are fast approaching....