Subregional integration and EU enlargement: Where next for CEFTA?

Abstract:

The fifth enlargement of the EU has necessitated various adjustments to the pan-European trade and integration framework. This article discusses ways in which the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) has been affected by this process. What was CEFTA's role in the EU pre-accession process? How did CEFTA downsizing affect trade arrangements between the enlarged EU and the remaining CEFTA members? Also, how realistic is the idea that the end of CEFTA's role in central Europe could be a prelude to its revitalization as a vehicle for multilateralization of trade arrangements in the south east European setting?