How far is Eastern Europe from Brussels?

Fischer, Stanley and Sahay, Ratna and Vegh, Carlos (1998): How far is Eastern Europe from Brussels?

Abstract

The current destination of Central and Eastern European countries -- explicitly for some, implicitly for all -- is Brussels. One simple measure, not without theoretical justification, is physical distance. This paper's focus, however, lies more in the distance in time and economic space. The paper fist compares income gaps between Central and Eastern Europe and European Union (EU) countries, then evaluates recent economic performance in Central and Eastern Europe in light of EU standards. Finally, it addresses the question of how long it will take the Central and Eastern European Countries to close the income gap with EU countries.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: transition, convergence
• Subjects: F - International Economics > F1 - Trade > F15 - Economic Integration; A - General Economics and Teaching > A1 - General Economics > A12 - Relation of Economics to Other Disciplines; F - International Economics > F4 - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance > F41 - Open Economy Macroeconomics; F - International Economics > F4 - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance > F43 - Economic Growth of Open Economies

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