IS THE MEMBERSHIP IN THE EU GOING TO INDUCE REGIONAL CONVERGENCE?

The forthcoming Eastern Enlargement of the EU will trigger static and dynamic effects. Due to the heterogeneous regional structure of the acceding states the effects are bound to be asymmetric. It applies especially to relatively large and regionally diversified economies as Poland. The membership in the European Union will affect general development patterns both at the aggregate and regional level. It is also likely to induce regional convergence or divergence. The experience of the 1990s shows that economic transformation and gradual economic integration have led to a significant rise in regional inequalities in Poland. The accession to the EU is bound to further increase regional inequalities at least in short to medium run which will constitute a major challenge for both supranational and national equalization-oriented regional policy. Furthermore, the likelihood of convergent regional development in Poland is rather questionable even in the long run.