Question

Чому поза інтеграційним процесом тривалий час залишилася країни східної Європи після яких подій східноєвропейські країни стали членами Європейських структур НАТО тощо

Answer 1

Integration Process in Eastern Europe

The prolonged process of integration for countries in Eastern Europe can be attributed to various historical and geopolitical factors. After which events did Eastern European countries become members of European structures such as NATO?

Factors Contributing to Prolonged Integration: The integration process for Eastern European countries has been prolonged due to historical, political, and economic reasons. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the subsequent transition to democracy and market economies in Eastern Europe led to a complex and protracted integration process.

NATO Membership: After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Eastern European countries sought to join NATO to ensure their security and stability. The first wave of NATO enlargement in 1999 included the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland. Subsequently, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia joined NATO in 2004.

EU Accession: The process of EU accession for Eastern European countries was also a gradual one. The fall of the Iron Curtain and the end of the Cold War paved the way for Eastern European countries to seek closer ties with the European Union. In 2004, the EU welcomed Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia as new member states.

In conclusion, the prolonged integration process for Eastern European countries was influenced by historical, political, and economic factors, and after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, these countries gradually became members of European structures such as NATO and the European Union.