Publication

This brief argues that the EU’s ‘Big Bang’ enlargement in 2004 has been the Union’s greatest achievement in the last decade, particularly from a political and moral standpoint. The brief then considers what has been achieved, why it has been achieved, and whether it is bound to last. In the first case, economic convergence has occurred in Central Europe but the process remains a ‘multi-speed’ one. The convergence is attributable to the region's states viewing EU membership as a transformational experience – i.e., as an opportunity to reform and improve how they do business. As to whether Central Europe will be able to sustain what has been a ‘golden decade’, the odd are good provided a handful of specific conditions are met.