TRANSFORMATIONS AND Regional EconomiC DEVELOPMENT I N Central and Eastern Europe: TYPICALITIES AND NEW PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

The main processes and typicalities of transformations, especially -- economic changes in Central and Eastern Europe under the conditions of EU enlargement, are analysed in this publication. The general and specific development trends are described and compared; some new non-traditional ideas and models of possible economic development in the future are discussed. The following features of economic transition in Central and Eastern Europe in the period of EU enlargement and further globalization in the future deserve particular attention: intensive diversification of traditional economic structures, profound changes in all sectors of the national economic systems, creation of new forms of interregional cooperation in the new integral economic space; very uneven economic growth in the various countries, regions and sectors, increasing differences and disparities in economic and social development as well as between various groups in the society; intensive innovation processes taking various forms, and the realization of new models of innovation activities; controversial industrial development, very uneven technological progress, multiplication of hightechnologies and new forms of industrial activity influencing the new quality life as well as new social and economic difficulties and problems. New non-traditional ideas of intensive economic development in Central and Eastern Europe in the future are described: the main attention is paid to the idea of rational specialization of every national or regional economic system and to the idea of the networking of regional "oases" and clusters. (English) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]