Emil Brix (born 1956 in Vienna) is Austrian diplomat and historian, at present Director of the Diplomatische Akademie Wien - Vienna School of International Studies. Since 1982 in the Austrian diplomatic service, among his positions: Consul General in Cracow/Poland, Director of the Austrian Cultural Institute in London/UK, Director General for Foreign Cultural Policy, Ambassador to the UK and Ambassador to the Russian Federation. He published numerous books and articles on 19th and 20th Century Austrian and European history.

Erhard Busek (born 1941 in Vienna) is former Austrian Minister for Science and Research, for Education, Vice-Chancellor; Special Representative of the Austrian Government for the Enlargement of the EU, Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe, President of the Vienna Economic Forum. Presently, he is Chairman of the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe, Coordinator of the Southeast European Cooperative Initiative and Jean Monnet Professor ad personam.

Prologue. The Geopolitical Space between Germany and Russia and the Rediscovery of the Mediterranean [...] Victory in the Cold War Began 2. Central Europe: The Long Journey to Integration 3. The EU Expands Eastwards 4. The Crises at Contested Borders 5. Powerful Neighbours: Guarantee or Danger? 6. Nationalism without End? 7. The Economy as Engine of Development and Mirror of its Problems 8. The Role of Religion 9. Migration: On Moving in and Moving out 10. The Contribution of Central Europe to Europe's Future Epilogue. Democratic Development in Central Europe