Integration processes are a growing trend in the global economy: the circle of participating countries is expanding; new forms and directions of international cooperation are appearing. The experience gained by the developing countries of Central and Eastern Europe proves the diversity of national models of participation in economic integration processes, as well as to the ambiguous results of their implementation. In order to ensure national competitiveness and security, it is necessary to ensure the diversification of the forms and directions of integration processes. The specifics and ambiguous consequences of the CEE countries development within the EU are of particular interest to developing countries located in close proximity to the borders of this integration association. The lessons of the integration association of Europe are in many respects valuable for Moldova, Belarus and Ukraine.