Uticaj prosirenje Evropske unije (EU) na stare clanice

According to available empirical assessments, any direct boost to economic growth in the western European economic region brought about by the enlargement of the EU on 1 May 2004 is only minor and temporary. However, it will intensify distribution conflicts among the existing member states and in particular, place considerable adjustment pressure on wages and jobs among low-qualified workers. Furthermore, it will necessitate adjustments in those member countries with extensive social services and welfare benefits. The adjustment process will be particularly perceptible in countries close to Eastern Europe. It is up to the politicians in the member states to initiate the necessary steps. There are considerable differences between the member states in their willingness to make adjustments. The three large continental European countries of Germany, France and Italy have substantial problems in implementing the necessary reforms. Failure to achieve far-reaching reforms in these countries would call the expected positive effects, which are already modest, into question. A similar effect would be achieved by any steps taken towards a pan-European harmonization of social policy. As far as the new member states are concerned, enlargement will afford an additional boost to their already dynamic catching up process. However, the economic momentum of the accession countries will not be enough to generate a perceptible increase in the growth rate of the EU as a whole. The new member states are economically still too insignificant for their in some cases very good - growth performance to make a significant impact on the EU's economic growth.