Adéla Jiroudková,

Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic,

adela.jiroudkova@ruk.cuni.cz

EU ACCESSION, TRANSITION AND FURTHER INTEGRATION

FOR THE COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE

Lenka Anna Rovná,

Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic,

lenka.rovna@ruk.cuni.cz

Wadim Strielkowski,

Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic,

strielkowski@fsv.cuni.cz

Ivo Šlosarčík,

Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic,

ivo.slosarcik@fsv.cuni.cz

ABSTRACT.  This contribution summarizes the outcomes of the research produced within the framework of the EU Lifelong Learning Programme Jean Monnet’s BRIDGE project and focuses on the research dissemination in the field of economic governance that must be considered by the Central and Eastern European countries in the EU context. The topics mentioned above became the core of this special issue of Economics and Sociology journal.

Prior to the EU enlargement, the EU accession and the subsequent Euro adoption were viewed as a solution to economic problems such a lack of fiscal discipline, high inflation expectations, volatile exchange rates, and a lack of efficient investments into R&D and technology.  The scope of these problems was defined by both the transition from the socialist to market economy as well as the economic policies preceding the EU entry. Moreover, the changing global environment and demographic trends also had their significant role. After the EU accession and a relatively short interim period, the financial crisis changed the EU economic governance and consequently the implications of the EU entry for the CEE.

Received: April, 2015

1st Revision: May, 2015 Accepted: June, 2015

DOI:10.14254/2071- 789X.2015/8-2/1

JEL Classification: F15, F33, N13

Keywords: economic governance, transition, Central and Eastern Europe, Euro, market economy, European Union, BRIDGE project.