Publication

This paper discusses the strengthening of the EU and Russia in their role as international actors in post-Cold War Europe and illustrates the impact on Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries situated in the borderland. The author identifies two opposing trends in CEE countries: on the macro-level there is a competition between proximity to the EU and Russia's traditional sphere of influence, and on the micro-level the CEE countries are torn between integration and statehood. The author first outlines the general development and delineates the position of the transition countries between the EU and Russia subsequently. He concludes with recommendations for cooperation programs.