Another response:
Dear XXXXX,

You have contacted the United Nations Statistics Division. In regard to the designation "Eastern Europe", please be advised that, as per the "Standard Country or Area Codes for Statistical Use (M49)", which is an international set of 3-digit numerical codes for statistical country reporting, the designations "Eastern Europe", "Western Europe", "Northern Europe" and "Southern Europe" and the assignment of countries to such groupings are intended for statistical convenience and do not imply any assumption regarding political or other affiliation of countries or territories by the United Nations.

Best regards,
Kimberly Gruber
United Nations TABKimberly Gruber
Information Systems Officer
Statistics Division
UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA)
DC2-1640
New York, NY 10017
Tel: +1 212 963 8076
E-mail: gruberk@un.org