European Commission

In this section you can find a number of studies about the results of the 2004 enlargement and the impact it has had on the citizens of the European Union. This section will be completed with further entries in the months to come.

This material is available in the original languages. Some of the material originates from independent institutions and organisations in various countries. The views expressed in these papers are purely those of the author(s) and may not in any circumstances be regarded as stating an official position of the European Commission. The author(s) of the texts are mentioned for each text and therefore prior permission must be obtained for the reproduction or use.

If you would like to present relevant information to a wider audience, do not hesitate to contact us using our mailbox.

General studies

Five Years of an Enlarged EU - Economic achievements and challenges, European Economy 1/2009 According to the analysis of the European Commission, the 2004/07 enlargement has been an overall success for the EU and its citizens. It has contributed to significant improvements of living standards in new member countries, to modernisation of their economies and to more stabilised institutions and laws. It has created new investment and export opportunities for enterprises in the older member states. The EU as a whole has benefited whole from increased trade between members and has at the same time become more competitive. The full text in English is available [2 MB] . Commission communication: Five years of an enlarged EU – Economic achievements and challenges [52 KB] . February 2009

Enlargement, two years after: an economic evaluation by the Bureau of European Policy Advisers and the Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs, European Economy May 2006 Professor Helen Wallace: Adapting to Enlargement of the European Union: Institutional Practice since May 2004 [129 KB] , TEPSA, November 2007

National studies

• Lietuvos Integracijos. Es Poveikio Lietuvos Ekonomikai 2002-2006 Metais (Ex-Post) Vertinimas [858 KB]
• Rapport Travail et Cohésion sociale [2 MB] (Luxemburg), STATEC
• Freedom of Movement for Workers from Central and Eastern Europe [540 KB] (Sweden), www.sieps.se
• Die neue Europäische Union : im vitalen Interesse Deutschlands? [3 MB] (Germany), Karl Weiss
• Pour une politique d'immigration et d'intégration active [150 KB] (Luxemburg), Conseil Economique et Social
• EU enlargement and migration:Assessing the macroeconomic impacts [483 KB]
• From the "European neighborhood" policy to a "New Ostpolitik" of the enlarged EU
• Four years of Poland’s membership in the EU, Balance of socio-economic benefits and costs (1st May 2004 — 1st May 2008) [3 MB]

Success Stories

• Doing justice to Europe: taking evidence in civil and commercial matters in Slovenia.
• Europe at heart: Lithuania and the EU offer better chances for people with cardiovascular disease.
• Getting to know you: students from the new Member States.
• Safer for all Europeans on the move: improving road safety in Lithuania.
• Improving road safety for children: the Czech Republic and Latvia at the top of the class!
• Another star for the EURO: Slovenia becomes the first of the new Member States to adopt the EU's common currency.
• Fighting faceless enemies: the new Member States join the EU's efforts to make the Internet safer for children.
• Strength in numbers: new Member States enhance police cooperation in the EU.
• Securing jobs and opening markets: German and Austrian firms doing business in Central and Eastern Europe