The Role of Central and Eastern Europe in the Transformation of the EU

The article examines the political, economic and military-political role of the Central and Eastern European countries in the transformation of the EU at the stage of the third major cycle of European integration. In the context of global turbulence and uncertainty, the Franco-German tandem has proven insufficient for the function of the integration project. It is argued that the civilisational features and frontier defense mentality of the CEE countries correspond to the needs of the current stage of regionalisation and can contribute to strengthening the centripetal processes in the European Union. The growing role of the region’s states in EU institutions following the European Parliament elections, the formation of the new Commission as well as the similarity of the positions held by Central and Eastern European leaders are explored. The economic capabilities of the CEE region in the context of the EU’s competitiveness and the defense dimension of the region’s growing influence resulting from the Ukrainian crisis are analysed. It is concluded that the development of the EU as a global actor in world politics will largely depend on its ability to effectively utilise and integrate the socio-political, civilisational, economic, and military potential of the CEE countries. The strengthening of the region’s states within the European Union will further complicate Russia’s interaction with Brussels.

Central and Eastern Europe, European Union, USA, integration, geopolitics, economy, regionalisation, globalisation