Real convergence is an essential objective of Romaniaâ s integration into the EU. Bridging the development gaps between Romania and the EU as soon as possible cannot be achieved exclusively through market forces, since they rather tend to cause divergence and polarization. For this purpose, special tools and mechanisms are required; e.g., cohesion. The study deals with the economic convergence of the European countries, and especially the convergence of the CEE countries, including Romania. Models are used to assess the economic growth, approximate the period of real convergence of Romania to the EU, as well as to estimate the Ï - and Ï -convergence, and the main shortcomings of the last indicator. * Study within the CEEX Programme â Project No. 220/2006 â Economic Convergence and Role of Knowledge in Relation to the EU Integrationâ .