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Central and Eastern Europe's Crisis of Convergence

Sep 12, 2017 | 11:14 GMT

Britain's exit from the European Union will deprive Central and Eastern European governments of a key ally when it comes to EU reform.

The countries of Central and Eastern Europe have a complex relationship with the European Union. They rushed to join the bloc after the end of the Cold War, and since then, they have been among the fastest-growing countries in Europe.

(iStock)

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....

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