German Abstract: Zusammenfassung In diesem Papier wird analysiert, inwieweit die Staaten des Westbalkans die notwendige wirtschaftliche und institutionelle Reife für einen EU-Beitritt erreicht haben. In der Studie werden die vier Staaten untersucht, die bereits Kandidatenstatus haben: Albanien,...

This survey states that the overall economic impact of EU enlargement is likely to remain small. The new EU member states are very small compared with the u0091oldu0092 EU countries and most economic integration has already taken place. The paper examines the reasons why only 42 per cent of the...

The 2004 EU enlargement will most likely yield major benefits to the new member countries in the long run. The new members will be able to capture gains from trade in goods and services and will moreover benefit from a continued inflow of financial and real capital. Without doubt, these...

The study suggests that the EU's eastward enlargement will be beneficial to the new members, while most EU countries will record minor welfare gains. Poland is expected to gain 3.4% of GDP, and Hungary almost 7%. The new members will experience production increases across almost all sectors,...

Die Erweiterung gilt als das erfolgreichste Instrument der EU-Außenpolitik. Doch angesichts stockender und langwieriger Verhandlungen mit der Türkei und Ländern des Westbalkans steuert die EU derzeit auf eine Beitrittspause zu. Damit droht sie auch auf der internationalen Bühne Einfluss und...

Most multinational investors in Central and Eastern Europe acknowledge that EU expansion will affect their business, but very few have made any budget provision to cover the cost of enlargement. In addition, most companies are only now starting to prepare for the changes that EU enlargement will...

The accession of eight Central and Eastern European countries to the European Union in 2004 will bring some important benefits. The new members will gain from reduced barriers to trade and investment. By 2010, the movement of labour will also be freed. But accession to the EU is neither a...