Eastern & Central Europe

Latest news about eastern and central Europe and EU enlargement. Since it was founded in 1958, the EU has regularly accepted new member countries. Each applicant country must meet certain requirements before membership is permitted. Regular enlargements have seen the EU grow from its original 6 founding members to 28 in 2013. Any country that satisfies the conditions for enlargement can apply to be a candidate. The European Commission, at the request of the European Council, assesses the applicant’s ability to meet the conditions of membership. If the opinion is positive and the Council agrees a negotiating mandate, discussions are formally opened between the applicant and the EU. At the start of 2013, five countries had been accepted as EU candidate countries: Iceland, Montenegro, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo (under UN Security Resolution 1244) have the status of potential candidates.

Starting a business in the Czech Republic — 30 May 2012, 17:21 CET

Entrepreneurship in the Czech Republic is covered by a number of legal regulations. There are several forms of companies, while the most frequent form is a limited liability company, followed by a joint stock company and, finally, a public company.

The Republic of Moldova — 01 October 2009, 11:21 CET

European Union bilateral trade with Moldova represents only 0.1 per cent of total trade, but it is growing and the EU is encouraging closer economic ties.

Turkey in Europe: Breaking the Vicious Circle — 07 September 2009, 12:32 CET

Turkey in Europe: Breaking the Vicious Circle, the second report of the Independent Commission on Turkey, analyzes the key developments in EU-Turkey relations and puts forward concrete steps necessary to revive negotiations. The Independent Commission on Turkey is convinced of the huge benefits of Turkish convergence with Europe and an eventual EU membership of a transformed Turkey, both for the country itself and the European Union. Despite a promising start to negotiations in 2004, the process has developed a vicious circle: continued negative comments by European political leaders, combined with growing public hesitation about further EU enlargement, have deepened resentment in Turkey and slowed the necessary reforms. The report argues that this vicious circle must urgently be broken, in the interest of both Turkey and the EU. European governments must honor their commitments and treat Turkey with fairness and the respect it deserves. On its side, Turkey has to re-engage in a dynamic, broad-based reform process, thus confirming that it is willing and serious in its ambition to join the EU.

Romania progress report - briefing — 22 July 2009, 22:39 CET

The report on Romania notes that the authorities reacted effectively to the concerns expressed in the interim report of the Commission of February 2009 by an adoption of new Criminal and Civil Codes and by tabling proposals for reform of judicial procedures. The positive track record of the prosecution in high-level corruption cases was maintained and complemented by steps to improve the staffing situation of courts and prosecutors' offices and by actions to improve the consistency of jurisprudence, such as appeals in the interest of the law lodged by the General Prosecutor and recommendations by a working group. The National Integrity Agency is now operational and has delivered good results by following up on declarations of assets while the first judicial cases launched by ANI are still pending decision by courts.

Report on Progress under the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism in Bulgaria — 22 July 2009, 22:44 CET

The report on progress in Bulgaria notes a positive change of attitude and identifies a number of technical steps taken by Bulgaria in response to the Commission's report of July 2008. Bulgaria has taken initial action to improve its track record in the prosecution of serious crime: a reorganisation of the prosecution and a change in methodology has resulted in a growing number of indictments, in particular regarding fraud with EU funds and in some first convictions on organised crime. In addition, Bulgaria analysed delays in serious criminal cases and issued recommendations to speed up court procedures which have partly been implemented and led to the swift conclusion of some cases. The inspection of the Supreme Judicial Council has established an encouraging track record and contributed, together with the Supreme Cassation Court, to improvements in the equal application of the law.

Commission approves EUR 251 million aid for Gdansk shipyard in Poland - briefing — 22 July 2009, 13:38 CET

Following an in-depth investigation opened in June 2005, the European Commission has authorised under EC Treaty state aid rules various support measures worth EUR 251 million, spread over several years and extending into the future, in favour of the Gdansk Shipyard in Poland. Privatised in 2007, the yard recently presented a restructuring plan that will to a large extent be financed from private resources raised by the yard and its owner. The Commission concluded that the plan will ensure the viability of the yard and that the distortions of competition, caused by years of subsidised operations, will be adequately reduced by production capacity closures.

The EU's Trade Relationship with Turkey — 20 July 2009, 12:20 CET

The EU and Turkey are linked by a Customs Union agreement, which came in force on 31 December 1995, pursuant to the 1963 EU-Turkey Association Agreement, which aims at promoting trade and economic relations. The Customs Union is ambitious but does not cover essential economic areas, such as agriculture, to which bilateral trade concessions apply, services or public procurement. Turkey has been a candidate country since 1999.

The EU's Trade Relationship with Russia — 08 July 2011, 17:08 CET

The European Union and the Russian Federation have a strong trade relationship. Bilateral trade and investments continue to grow rapidly. Russia is one of the EU's key trading partners and trade between the two economies has showed steep growth rates until mid 2008. This trend was interrupted by the economic crisis and the unilateral measures adopted by Russia which have affected our bilateral trade.

Commission recommends 2012 for correction of Latvia's excessive deficit - briefing — 02 July 2009, 12:15 CET

The European Commission on 2 July concluded that Latvia is running an excessive deficit under Article 104.7 of the EU Treaty and has proposed a deadline for its correction.

EC strategy to boost development of Baltic Sea Region — 10 June 2009, 17:47 CET

The European Commission has presented a proposal for an EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. Five years on from enlargement, the region is facing pressing challenges including the deteriorating state of the Baltic Sea, poor transport links, barriers to trade and energy supply concerns. These problems have been exacerbated by a lack of effective coordination. The Strategy, presented by Danuta Hübner, Commissioner for Regional Policy, above all aims to maximise the development potential of the Member States and regions in the Baltic Sea area, which is home to nearly 100 million people.

EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region — 10 June 2009, 17:40 CET

The European Commission adopted a Communication on the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region on 10 June 2009. This is the first time that a comprehensive Strategy, covering several Community policies, is targeted on a 'macro-region'. The Strategy aims at coordinating action by Member States, regions, the EU, pan-Baltic organisations, financing institutions and non-governmental bodies to promote a more balanced development of the Region.

Eastern Partnership - briefing — 07 May 2009, 16:29 CET

The first Eastern Partnership (EaP) summit in Prague on 7 May gathered leaders from the EU Member States, EU institutions and Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine to launch a new framework of reinforced bilateral and multilateral cooperation. The European Commission says this initiative will lead to deepening of political and economic relations, more energy security, increased mobility and will give an additional boost to pro-democratic and market oriented reforms in partner countries.

GÉANT academic internet links to Black Sea region - briefing — 18 March 2009, 23:34 CET

The Commission on 17 March increased the internet capacity available across the Black Sea to researchers in the South Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia) by switching on the region's largest computer network for research and education. The EU-funded regional research and education network Black Sea Interconnection (BSI) links the South Caucasus countries and connects them to the high bandwidth, world-leading, pan-European GÉANT network that already serves 30 million researchers. This new connection will enable researchers and students to collaborate with their European peers in 40 countries, by sharing large amounts of data over the network.

Report on Progress under the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism in Romania — 12 February 2009, 18:06 CET

The Commission reports under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism every 6 months on progress with judicial reform, the fight against corruption and, concerning Bulgaria, the fight against organised crime.

Report on Progress under the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism in Bulgaria — 12 February 2009, 18:00 CET

The European Commission reports under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism every 6 months on progress with judicial reform, the fight against corruption and, concerning Bulgaria, the fight against organised crime.

Eastern Partnership - briefing — 04 December 2008, 01:08 CET

The European Commission's ambitious proposal for the Eastern Partnership represents a step change in the EU's relations with its Eastern Partners as it aims at enhancing cooperation both on bilateral and multilateral level.

Czech EU presidency website — 02 December 2008, 00:41 CET

Website of the Czech Presidency of the European Union, which begins on 1st January 2009.

Employment in Europe Report 2008 - briefing — 18 November 2008, 20:40 CET

A European Commission report published on 18 November 2008 shows that mobile workers from the countries that joined the EU in 2004 and 2007 have had a positive impact on EU Member States' economies and have not led to serious disturbances on their labour markets. Workers from the EU-8 as well as Bulgaria and Romania have made a significant contribution to sustained economic growth, without significantly displacing local workers or driving down their wages. Both for the EU as a whole and for most individual countries, labour flows have been limited compared to the size of labour markets and to inflows from non-EU countries.

EU assistance to Georgia - briefing — 22 October 2008, 14:39 CET

In the aftermath of the conflict in Georgia, the European Commission has provided humanitarian assistance and started working on a comprehensive assistance package, which will be worth up to EUR 500 million.

European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia — 22 September 2008, 12:14 CET

The European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia is an autonomous mission led by the EU under the European security and defence policy. Its objectives are to contribute to stability throughout Georgia and the surrounding region.

EU - Ukraine Relations — 09 September 2008, 15:23 CET

The EU - Ukraine Association Agreement replaces a Partnership and Cooperation which has been in force since 1998.

Report on Progress in Romania under the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism — 23 July 2008, 18:29 CET

The Commission approved on 23 July a series of reports assessing the progress Romania of judicial reform and the fight against corruption under the Co-operation and Verification mechanisms set up when the country joined the EU last year.

Progress Reports on the Cooperation and Verification mechanism - procedural aspects — 23 July 2008, 16:24 CET

The Commission approved on 23 July 2008 a series of reports assessing the progress in Bulgaria and Romania of judicial reform and the fight against corruption under the Co-operation and Verification mechanisms set up when both countries joined the EU last year. These reports assess the progress and shortcomings that exist in Bulgaria and Romania on the commitments made at the time of accession. The Commission concludes that genuine efforts and some progress have been made, mainly in terms of judicial reform but much more needs to be done by both countries to fight high level corruption and in Bulgaria on organised crime. The reports highlight the need for sustained political commitment and implementation on the ground if the benchmarks set at the time of accession are to be met in full. The reports put forward a series of concrete follow up measures. Progress in meeting the benchmarks and in dispelling doubts about the two countries ability to deal with corruption will allow their citizens to reap the full benefits of EU membership and enhance their confidence in the rule of law.

Report on Progress in Bulgaria under the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism — 23 July 2008, 16:20 CET

The Commission approved on 23 July a series of reports assessing the progress in Bulgaria of judicial reform and the fight against corruption under the Co-operation and Verification mechanisms set up when Bulgaria joined the EU last year. These reports assess the progress and shortcomings that exist in Bulgaria on the commitments made at the time of accession. The Commission concludes that genuine efforts and some progress have been made, mainly in terms of judicial reform but much more needs to be done by both countries to fight high level corruption and in Bulgaria on organised crime. The reports highlight the need for sustained political commitment and implementation on the ground if the benchmarks set at the time of accession are to be met in full. The reports put forward a series of concrete follow up measures.

Report on the Management of EU Funds in Bulgaria - guide — 23 July 2008, 16:14 CET

The European Commission approved on 23 July a series of reports assessing the progress in Bulgaria of judicial reform and the fight against corruption under the Co-operation and Verification mechanisms set up when both countries joined the EU last year. The Commission has also adopted a separate report on the management of EU funds in Bulgaria. These reports assess the progress and shortcomings that exist in Bulgaria on the commitments made at the time of accession. The Commission concludes that genuine efforts and some progress have been made, mainly in terms of judicial reform but much more needs to be done by both countries to fight high level corruption and in Bulgaria on organised crime. The reports highlight the need for sustained political commitment and implementation on the ground if the benchmarks set at the time of accession are to be met in full. The reports put forward a series of concrete follow up measures. The Commission has taken a formal decision to suspend certain EU funds until the Bulgarian authorities are able to demonstrate that sound financial management structures are in place and operating effectively.