Eastern members risk falling behind rest of EU

Significance

Speaking on the occasion, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that, over the past 20 years, the promise of stability and prosperity has been fulfilled. However, CEE’s economic performance during that period has been mixed, and the region risks falling further behind western members.

Impacts

• Public support for EU membership will remain strong across most of CEE but may decline further in Slovakia and Hungary.
• Rule of law challenges in the region will persist, putting at risk the flow of EU funds that are key for regional development.
• Ukrainian membership of the bloc would probably not lead to a change in CEE countries’ positions as net beneficiaries of EU funds.