Ruby Gropas, Research Fellow, Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), and Southeast Europe Policy Scholar

The countries of Central and East Europe have been profoundly affected by the EU accession process. Indeed, no single state or international institution has had as great an impact on domestic change as the EU has had in postcommunist Europe. Eight countries from the region have now been EU members for five years, and further enlargement to the Western Balkans is a shared goal of the United States and the EU. As this process continues, it is important to assess the impact EU accession and membership has made on these countries' politics, markets, societies, and international relations.

Dr. Mithat Melen, Member of Turkish Parliament (MHP)

Miltiades Varvitsiotis, Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs