A N A LY S I S GLOBAL AND REGIONAL ORDER AWAITING THE GERMAN EU PRESIDENCY: CHALLENGES AND OPTIONS FROM AN EASTERN EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE With crisis-management currently at the core of policy-making priorities, expectations being directed at the German EU Presidency are higher than ever in terms of securing internal cohesion and bridging growing divides within the EU. Whereas Central Eastern Europe should not be looked upon as a monolithic bloc, there are topics – like the EU funds for cohesion and agriculture and the strategic relationship with the US –, where the new Member States will take a united stance, unwilling as they are to make any risky bets. Radu Magdin June 2020 In order to succeed, Germany will have to make sure that its Presidency takes into account the specific needs and views of the Eastern European members.