Morgan Stanley Eastern Europe Fund, Inc. (NYSE: RNE) (the "Fund") announced today that its Board of Directors has approved a tender offer to acquire in exchange for cash up to 15 percent of the Fund's outstanding shares at a price equal to 98.5 percent of the Fund's net asset value per share as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") on the business day immediately following the day the offer expires (the "Tender Offer"). The timing of the Tender Offer will be announced as soon as practicable. Additional terms and conditions of the Tender Offer will be set forth in its offering materials, which will be distributed to the Fund's stockholders. If more than 15 percent of the Fund's outstanding shares are tendered, the Fund will purchase its shares from tendering stockholders on a pro rata basis at a price of 98.5 percent of the Fund's net asset value per share.

On March 23, 2012, the Fund announced that the Board approved a policy designed to attempt to narrow the trading discount for the Fund (the "Policy"). Upon further consideration, the Board has determined to rescind the Policy. The Fund continues to maintain a share repurchase program (the "Program") for purposes of enhancing stockholder value and reducing the discount at which the Fund's shares trade from their net asset value. Since the inception of the Program on September 15, 1998, the Fund has repurchased 31.0 percent of its shares. The Fund expects to continue to repurchase its outstanding shares at such time and in such amounts as it believes will further the accomplishment of the foregoing objectives of the Program, subject to review by the Board of Directors. On a monthly basis, the Fund intends to make available on its public website information regarding the Fund's repurchase activity. In connection with the Tender Offer, the Fund has temporarily suspended any purchases of shares in the open market pursuant to the Program until on or about 10 business days after the termination of the Tender Offer, as required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

On March 23, 2012, the Fund announced that the Board approved changes to the Fund's investment strategy and concentration investment restriction. Upon further consideration, the Board has determined not to make the proposed changes and therefore not to pursue stockholder approval of such changes at this time.

The Board of Directors has also approved the creation of a committee of independent Directors to consider a range of issues unique to closed-end funds.

The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that seeks long-term capital appreciation through investments primarily in equity securities of Eastern European country issuers and in debt securities issued or guaranteed by Eastern European country government or governmental entities. The Fund's shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol "RNE."

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, together with its investment advisory affiliates, has approximately 620 investment professionals around the world and $304 billion in assets under management or supervision as of March 31, 2012. MSIM strives to provide outstanding long-term investment performance, service and a comprehensive suite of investment management solutions to a diverse client base, which includes governments, institutions, corporations and individuals worldwide.

Morgan Stanley is a leading global financial services firm providing a wide range of investment banking, securities, investment management and wealth management services. The Firm's employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals from more than 1,300 offices in 43 countries. For further information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of any such state.

Morgan Stanley Eastern Europe Fund, Inc.
800-231-2608