More Initiative Central European Initiative Cover Image

Iniciatívnejšia Stredoeurópska iniciatíva
More Initiative Central European Initiative

Author(s): Peter Weiss
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences
Published by: Research Center of the Slovak Foreign Policy Association (RC SFPA)
Keywords: Stredoeurópska iniciatíva (Central European Initiative): fondy (funds); rozšírená spolupráca (EU enhanced cooperation);

Summary/Abstract: Central European Initiative (CEI) is after Benelux and Northern Council third the oldest regional grouping in Europe, it has long and important tradition and it covers the largest area – 2, 4 million km2 with almost 250 million inhabitants. CEI was founded with the ambition to help countries that until 1989 lived behind “iron curtain”, to launch closer relations with countries of Western Europe and with each other, and to support member states in their preparation for membership in European Communities or European Union. Accession of five CEI Central-European member states to European Union in 2004 was therefore very important fulfilment of existence of CEI and it was also marked as a milestone in its history. Today, from 17 CEI member states 7 has already become members of the European Union, and that is why more and more credibility is given to task of intensifying the process of transformation that started on the turn of centuries, in which this mainly regional organization oriented mainly on political dialog should become organization emphasizing practical transfer of know how, mainly in the area of transformation and real preparation for membership and functioning within EU, transfer of technologies, simplifying entrepreneurs activities, support of investments, research, development and higher education and stimulating development of civil society, mainly in the area of culture, medias and youth exchange. Regarding to this shift, also set of new tools for practical cooperation and know how transfer emerged. However, for future of CEI political approaches in actual wording of covering document “Central European Initiative Guidelines and Rules and Procedure“ are deciding.

  • Issue Year: XIV/2005
  • Issue No: 04
  • Page Range: 63-76
  • Page Count: 13
  • Language: Slovak