L’évolution des relations politiques entre l’ouest et l’est de l’Europe (1988-1993)

Abstract

The article focuses on the history of the political relations between the Western European states since the beginning of their accession into Euro-Atlantic structures on one side, and, on other side, the Eastern European States as members of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA) and the Warsaw Pact. Before 1990, the East-West relations were dominated by a lack of dialogue and mutual ignorance. The East-West mistrust was due to the Soviet Union’s hostility towards the Western European integration and the refusal to recognize the European Community. Another step in the development of the relations between the EC and the Eastern European countries focuses on trade, financial aid and support for economic transition. These actions had a double goal: to promote commercial exchanges and to provide economic support during the transition period. It is in this context that the first Agreements for trade and economic cooperation have been signed. With the signature of the European agreements, the CEECs became privileged partners, but not candidates for accession. The decision of EU enlargement towards CEE was decided during the European Council in June 1993 (Copenhagen). The conclusions of the EU Presidency clearly asserted that “the associated states of Central and Eastern Europe may become members of the European Union if they want to”. The Copenhagen Council represented a major change in the Union policy - that is, the transition from the status of associated states to the status of candidate States. Therefore, the enlargement became one of the main EU political goals.