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One of the leftover disputes from the collapse of the former Yugoslavia is the precise location of the border between Slovenia and Croatia. Talks on resolving that dispute have been held in a restaurant - which just happens to sit on top of the border. Aperitif in Slovenia - Coffee in Croatia.

And now, as part of our series on Central Europe's borders, we travel to the north-eastern corner of the Czech Republic, and the area surrounding the little town of Hlucin. It's a fascinating place, an ethnic melting pot of Czechs, Germans and Poles, with its own customs and its own curious dialect. And due to the dramatic developments of the 20th century, many of its inhabitants now enjoy some very special privileges. Radio Prague's Rob Cameron reports.

A walrus ivory cross from the 12th century, is opening up a new chapter in both British and Hungarian history. The relic, which belonged to Richard I. was found in Hungary - suggesting that Richard the Lionheart spent some time in the country. If proven - the cross will help historians fill in some blanks on the travels of the legendary crusader. Howard Stevens is a former defence attache at the British Embassy in Budapest and he's been busy tracking down King and Cross. He's speaking to Petra Hajdu of Radio Budapest...

We head with Oxana Ferjencikova to the border between Slovakia and Austria, for a spot of duty free shopping with a difference....

Just over 11 years ago, on December 31 1992, At midnight on December 31 1992, the Czechoslovak federation was formally dissolved and two independent states - the Czech Republic and Slovakia - came into being. Creating Europe's newest border. Since then, the two have moved in different directions. But when they become a part of the European Union and after that the Schengen zone, their citizens will once again travel freely between the two states as they did 11 years ago. What does this mean to Slovaks and Czechs?

The constant shifting of Silesia across Polish and German borders over several centuries has created a unique ethnic mix and a regional self-consciousness. The dominant spoken language is a Germanised dialect of Polish. But whatever their ethnic origins, the Silesians themselves have developed a separate identity that borrows liberally from both Polish and German.

European integration is also doing its bit for the rebirth of polish Health Spas. The small southwestern town of Swieradów was a luxurious German upper class spa before World War Two. Under communism, it declined to a rather dowdy, cheap, health resort. Today, Swieradów is finding a new prosperous era as western tourists, especially Germans, rediscover its charms.

In the north Slovak region of Liptov, some cheese makers fear the EU may do them out of a job. The region is well known for its special sheep's cheese - known as "bryndza". But the traditional method of preparing this delicacy is gradually dying out. And the blame is being placed on Brussels, which is demanding new hygiene rules... Martina Grenova went to Liptov to investigate...

From it's source in the Black Forest of Germany to its mouth in the Black Sea, the Danube River flows through 11 countries including Hungary, Austria, Slovakia and Slovenia. And for millennia the Danube has been one of Europe's most important sources of trade, food and energy. It's also been a convenient drain for mans many pollutants. But according to the new head of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube, Phil Weller, European Union enlargement will be good for Danube water quality.

As EU expansion approaches, all eyes are on regulations that will influence daily life in the new member states - but cultural will also undergo some changes. A project led by Austrian European member of Parliament Mercedes Echerer called "EU XXL" brought together filmmakers from the old and new member states to make sure this new era in European cinema gets off to a good start.