How much integration after the enlargement?

Abstract

Three years have gone by after the enlargement of the EU to 10 new member states. It is now possible to dismiss the fears on the negative effects of this enlargement that circulated in Europe (and not only) before 2004. What is more relevant to assess now is how far the actual economic integration between the EU15 and the new member states has arrived. This is the aim of this paper, where we show that integration is indeed deep in a number of areas, but it is still a goal in others. Pursuing an effective integration process is necessary for all countries to benefit of the advantages created by the Single Market.