Poland had threatened to sabotage the expansion by demanding more financial aid to help bring Eastern economies up to Western standards.

His research areas are the Eastern European planned economies.

For years, the prospect of joining the euro zone helped stabilize Eastern European economies.

"It is just a return to the market and normal international trade, and Eastern European economies should be geared toward the world market."

He also has constructive things to say about ways to bolster Eastern European economies during the crisis.

Like most Eastern European economies, it experienced market liberalisation in the early 1990s as part of a transition away from communism.

Unlike many Third World countries, though, the Eastern European economies are industrial and have been capitalist.

Last year, the Eastern European economies contracted by 11 percent.

The creaky Eastern economies will be able to hang on to some of this trade by offering lower prices or longer warranties.

Poland was the only Eastern European economy to grow in 1992 and will probably be the only one to grow this year.