Central and Eastern Europe October 24 2000 The greatest political, economic and social challenge facing much of central and eastern Europe is accession to the EU. Membership is the ambition of virtually every former Communist country. This survey focuses on the 10 central and Eastern European states which have entered negotiations to join the union - Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. These countries are at different stages of readiness for the EU. Overview - Waiting for the EU to decide - Politics is greatest barrier to immigration process - Pick and mix of old and new - Balancing act for enlargement broker Industry - Banks build many bridges from EU to east - Leaders have the EU's number - A slow lane from factory to forecourt - Longest chapter in the book - Western brewers raise their glasses to the east Regions - Poles fret at entry date doubts - Elites favour EU, but voters worry - Pace quickens as more chapters open - Different tracks lead to same point - When just desire is not enough