INTERNATIONAL POLICY ANALYSIS Russia and East Central Europe: A Fresh Start Ł. ADAMSKI, S. CELAC, S. DÊBSKI, A. DULEBA, D. DUNGACIU, B. FRUMKIN, E. FURMAN, L. KARABESHKIN, I. KOBRINSKAYA, P. KRATOCHVåL, P. KUCHYÒKOVÁ, B. KUZNETSOV, G. PELNĒNS, A. RÁCZ, B. SHMELEV, A. SPRUDS AND A. ZAGORSKI(ED.) March 2013 n A fresh start in relations between Russia and the Eastern Central European(ECE) nations shall not be taken for granted despite the recent progress achieved with a number of countries in the region. n In order to consolidate and expand progress, Russia and ECE countries are best advised to intensify and institutionalize political dialogue without avoiding difficult issues on the agenda. n As European arms control mechanisms are weakening, the countries of the region should also pay particular attention to cooperative measures to build trust between their security and defense establishments.