11. Workshop on Central European developments since 1989 and tendencies towards integration –
emergence of formalized structures (Central European Initiative /CEI/, Visegrad Group, Central
European Free Trade Association /CEFTA/)

Lecturer: Pavel Pšeja


Objective: To explain political developments in Central European region since 1989 and highlight
attempts at broader co-operation.


Workshop: Immediately after democratic changes taking place in 1989, and in some cases even before
that date, Central Europe witnessed a rising trend to organize a regional co-operation based on
common political and social experience, and focused on enhancing economic and security position of
respective countries, as well as on promoting their interests in relation to the European Union.
Co-operative projects in Central Europe, i.e. developments of Central European Initiative, Visegrad
Group and CEFTA, will be dealt with through projects prepared by students and focused on their
major features and influences.


Assigned reading:

Dangerfield, Martin (2004): „CEFTA: between the CMEA and the European Union“, Journal of European
Integration, Vol. 26, No. 3, pp. 309-338.

Dangerfield, Martin (2008): „The Visegrád Group in the Expanded European Union: From Preaccession
to Postaccession Cooperation“, East European Politics and Societies, Vol. 22, No. 3, pp. 630–667.

Lukáč, Pavol (2001): “Visegrad Co-operation – Ideas, Developments and Prospects”, Slovak Foreign
Policy Affairs. Vol. II, No. I, pp. 6-23.


Additional reading:

Brusis, Martin (2002): “Prospects of Visegrad Cooperation in an Enlarged European Union”, in
Šťastný, Marek (ed.): Visegrad Countries in an Enlarged Trans-Atlantic Community, Institute for
Public Affairs, Bratislava, pp. 67-84.


Issues for discussion:

Reasons for regional co-operation, its failures and successes.

Possibilities of co-operation in relation to EU membership.