Greece and the Balkans: Geography lost and found

Abstract

The post-1989 conditions in centre and east-european countries give rise to a number of interesting questions about the impact of a changing geography on economic performances and outcomes on both sides of the East-West border. Our paper is essentially centered on how this changing geography in the Balkans has been, and still is affecting Greece's economic performance. To this end, we analyse the main data concerning changes in the economic environment and "border conditions" of Greece in the Balkans. In the first part, pre-1989 conditions in Greece are studied with respect to inter national environment as well as the factors having influenced Greece's admittedly weak European integration performance. The second part is devoted to the new conditions prevailing since 1989 in Greece and it's relationship with other Balkanic countries (particularly trade and factor mobility). In the last part, conclusions will be drawn and the policy implications of our analysis presented.