Central and Eastern Europe in the European Union, 1989-2019. From continental reconciliation to participation in the future of Europe

This article focuses on EU enlargement in Central and Eastern Europe. By taking the fall of communism as a starting point, it is possible to analyse various possibilities from different perspectives. It explores what the EU meant for new members and vice versa and develops an impact assessment for the European integration project. It seeks to clarify the historical roots of the most relevant divergences that have generated tensions within the European Union in the wake of enlargement given that the project is based upon the idea of a constant evolution towards a real convergence among its members.