The Accession – Between Constraints and Opportunities

Abstract

The recent estimations regarding the outcome of the first wave of the 5th enlargement are quite optimistic as well. Before May 1st, 2004 pessimists warned that the enlargement could lead to political and economic disaster because of the important gap between the Eastern and Western European Countries. After one year, although new and old members still face political and economic challenges, the emerging trends are very positive. In economic terms, the gains are clear. The new EU members saw gross domestic product rise 5 per cent last year and the economists forecast a further increase of more than 4 per cent in 2005 – more than twice the rate of the EU 15.

Keywords

• enlargement
• new member states
• romania