The EU has experienced different options to support the emergence of champions: (i) targeted support for strategic sectors and large technology initiatives (e.g. Airbus, Ariane, HDTV and ESPRIT); (ii) a support of declining sectors with the ECSC Treaty; and (iii) an emphasis on horizontal...

Regional income and labour market disparities in Poland are characterised by three dimensions: the gap between the western and the eastern parts of the country, the privileged position of the capital region and rising differences between rural and urban regions. Disparities in labour markets are...

The economic gap between the EU and three candidate countries - Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey - is significant. Living standards, as measured by GDP per capita at PPP, are less than one third of the level prevailing in the former EU-15 u0096 and about half of the average level in the new member...

The report summarises the results generated in empirical analysis within a larger EU's 5th framework programme for research and development on the determinants of productivity gaps between the current EU-15 and accession states in central and eastern Europe. The focus of research in this part of...

This report contains environmental profiles for the 25 Overseas countries and territories (OCTs) associated with the European Union. These environmental profiles are set in a socio-economic developmental perspective so that the findings can be used to assist in programming projects in the...

The main challenge that OCTs face consists in putting their economies and societies on a sustainable development path by increasing their competitiveness, reducing their vulnerability to external shocks, increasing environmental resilience, cooperating with their neighbours and, where possible,...

Connectivity Agenda Improving connectivity within the Western Balkans, as well as between the Western Balkans and the European Union, is a key factor for growth and jobs and will bring clear benefits for the region's economies and citizens. The Western Balkans six (WB6) has made the connectivity...

The global objective of this study is to assess the actions and initiatives in the field of civil protection in the Caribbean, in order to promote, enhance and reinforce regional cooperation between European Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), Outermost Regions (ORs) and the countries...

This Ex-post Evaluation Report has been prepared by the MWH Consortium between August and October 2005, and reflects the situation of the Phare assistance provided through the Sigma multi-beneficiary programmes between 1996 and 2004. It examines the performance of Sigma in addressing the...

The paper looks at the EUu0092s infrastructure after the latest enlargement round. It states that the new EU members have to narrow the distance to the u0091oldu0092 members in order to improve the competitiveness of their companies and the living conditions of the populace. At the same time,...