European Union - Central European Times

Part of the Dhruzba pipeline. Source: Wikimedia Commons

Druzhba pipeline shutdown plunges Hungary and Slovakia into oil dispute with Ukraine

3 min read V4 & Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine, Energy, Russian-Ukrainian war, Energy security, European Union, Oil & gas

Oil still halted a month after a Druzhba pipeline strike, with Hungary and Slovakia blaming Ukraine for stalling repairs in a deepening row.

For industrialised, export-oriented CEE countries, the EU–Mercosur agreement is incrementally beneficial

5 min read V4 & Romania, European Union, Mercosur, agriculture, trade, bioeconomy, Comprehensive Agreement on Investment

Only Poland has strong structural reasons for concern, while Hungary, Czechia and Slovakia stand to benefit from expanded industrial exports.

Shadow of a solider in front of the American and Venezuelan flag

Seismic shift in Venezuela – How it could affect Central and Eastern Europe

3 min read V4 & Romania, Donald Trump, venezuel, Politics, Economy, Energy, oil, European Union, EU sanctions

The aftermath of Trump’s Venezuela move remains unclear, but CEE states are likely to be impacted indirectly by oil prices and EU sanctions.

EU-Mercosur agreement: No unified regional position

2 min read V4 & Romania, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, agriculture, Common Agricultural Policy, Mercusor, European Union

Despite expectations, the EU–Mercosur deal was not signed and stances of CEE countries remain divided.

Polexit – a little more than a bad joke

1 min read V4 & Romania, Poland, public support, European Union, Euroscepticism, Politics

Support for EU membership in Poland remains high, but the share of those who would favour leaving the Union now exceeds 10 percent.

Poland: A new regional power center in search of its role

2 min read Poland, Germany, Economy, European Union, Kaczynski, V4 & Romania

Poland’s economic weight is undoubtedly increasing in the region, with Polish-German economic relations and political tensions deepening.

EU forecasts point to weak growth and slow deficit reduction in Romania

2 min read National Bank of Romania, Romania, European Union, European Commission, inflation, Economy, Budget, V4 & Romania

Romania is projected to see modest growth and a gradual narrowing of the budget deficit over the next three years.

Polish forces secure the Poland–Belarus border during the 2021 migration crisis

The Polish problem: On the frontline of migration

4 min read Poland, migration, northeastern route, Balkan route, Russia, Belarus, Weaponized migration, European Union, V4 & Romania

More and more migrants enter the EU via its northeast border, making Poland a buffer against Moscow’s politically driven bid to destabilize Europe.

Overtaking on the bend – are the Poles really catching up with Japan?

3 min read Poland, growth, Economy, Japan, Donald Tusk, Central and Eastern Europe, regional development, European Union, Law and Justice, V4 & Romania

Over the past decade and a half, Poland has undergone a remarkable economic transformation, and in several key indicators it is now comparable with Japan. The question many economists are asking is: what is Poland’s secret, and how has it managed to outpace its Central European peers?

Moldovan President Maia Sandu addresses Moldova's 2025 Diaspora Congress on 15 August, 2025

Moldova may leapfrog Ukraine in EU accession talks as Brussels mulls separate tracks

2 min read EU accession, Moldova, Ukraine, European Commission, Georgia, Maia Sandu, European Union, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Marie Bjerre, Viktor Orban, Luminita Odobescu, Economy

If the EU decides to approach Moldova separately, it would depart from recent EU practice of advancing Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia as a group under the "Association Trio" framework.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico

Hungary, Slovakia resist EU's energy, budget reforms amid growing east-west schism

2 min read Russia, Orban, von der Leyen, REPowerEU, Jourova, European Union, Centre for Research on Energy, Defence, Energy, EU, Hungary, Slovakia, Politics, V4 & Romania

Hungary and Slovakia have emerged as the most vocal opponents of two of the EU’s most consequential reform proposals: plans to phase out Russian energy imports and to overhaul the bloc’s long-term budget to prioritise defence, climate and digital transition. EU mulls ban of new Russian energy contracts

China's BYD makes Budapest regional HQ

2 min read BID, China, HIPA, Wang Chuanfu, European Union, Business, Economy, Energy, Hungary, Politics

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD on 15 May signed an agreement with the Hungarian government to relocate its European headquarters to Budapest's 11th District, alongside two major research and development projects. The announcement marks the latest phase in BYD's European expansion. Hungary's government

The Iberian Peninsula during the 28 April blackout in Spain and Portugal

Hungary pays neighbours to avoid blackouts: lessons from Spain’s recent energy crisis

3 min read Energy, European Commission, European Parliament, European Union, Paks 2, Portugal, Spain, Teresa Ribera, Economy, Hungary, EU, V4 & Romania

Hungary currently leads the world for share of solar energy in its energy mix, as it generated a quarter of its domestic electricity from photovoltaic panels in 2024. However, the recent massive blackout in Spain and Portugal served as a reminder of the challenges involved with high reliance on renewable

Gender pay gaps remain in CEE, despite EU efforts

Romania and Poland have gender pay disparities among the lowest in the EU, according to Eurostat data published this month. In Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), Romania and Poland recorded the smallest gender pay gaps in 2023, at 3.6% and 4.5% respectively — both well below the EU average

Moldova, North Macedonia join harmonised European payments system SEPA

2 min read Business, Economy, Moldova, North Macedonia, Politics, European Commission, European Union, Maia Sandu, SEPA

Moldova and North Macedonia have been approved to join the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), marking a significant step in their integration with European financial systems. The countries will become operational members on October 5, after becoming compliant with SEPA regulations from April, the European Payments Council (EPC) announced on