The CEU Center for EU Enlargemenet Studies (CENS) has recently launched the project titled “The Seven Neighbors of Hungary – Questions of Historical Reconciliation and Cooperation in the 21st Century” as an initiative meant to explore Hungary’s relations with its seven neighbors. We would like to investigate questions such as common initiatives in the areas of trade, policy and culture, but also issues of diplomatic and historical reconciliation.

The project consisted of seven workshops, taking, one by one, all the seven neighbors of Hungary. The aim of the project was to bring together diplomats and established experts with students and young researchers doing studies in this field, coming from various Hungarian universities. The goal was to launch a dialogue between the experts and representatives on one side, and local perceptions on the other, in a productive exchange of ideas and perspectives.

The seven lectures in the framework of this project dealt with the relations of Hungary with Romania, Hungary with Slovenia, Hungary with Ukraine, Hungary with Croatia, Hungary with Austria, Hungary with Slovakia and Hungary with Serbia.

The closing conference “Improving Solidarity in Central and Eastern Europe: New Approaches to International Reconciliation” marks the end of a year-long project at the Center that assessed patterns of international tension and reconciliation in Central and Eastern Europe through the example of Hungary’s turbulent relationship with its seven neighbors.