ABSTRACT
In the aftermath of the extraordinary developments of 1989, the new governments in Eastern Europe moved to rejoin the world economy and participate as fully as possible in global political and economic dynamics, something they were enjoined from doing before. The division of Germany and Europe symbolized the separation and the Soviet-dominated alliance system, consisting primarily of the Warsaw Treaty Organization and the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance, formalized it. For the East European states the road to the world economy has been marked by key signposts. Most of the East European states have been encouraged to the actions by a steady series of programs, advisors, counselors, and arrangements suggested to them by Western organizations and governments. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization heads of state also affirmed that the alliance “remains open to the membership of other European states in a position to further the principles of the Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area.”.
