Study On Economic Convergence Between The New Member States And The EU

The Eastward Enlargement is the biggest and most important expansion in EU's history, and it ultimately ended the split situation which was resulted from the Cold War in Europe. Since the CEECs (Central and Eastern European Countries) have a wider disparity in both the economic system and the standard of economic development with the EU, their membership will bring about new contents and forms in economic convergence between new and old member states, and new challenges in European Integration as well. In this thesis, it's planned to specifically analyze the economic problems of the new members as well as the disparities and contradictions between the new and old member states with figuring out the new characteristics produced by the Enlargement, then provide some practical measures in CEECs' convergence into the EU with the combination of economic transformation, EU membership and economic convergence.There are four chapters in the thesis. First, outline the characteristics and models of economic convergence by means of the relations between regional economic integration and economic convergence, then discuss both target and strategy of new and old member states. Second, utilize some specific examples and data to discuss the influence on economic convergence by the economic problems, disparities and contradictions. Third, provide some practical measures on CEECs' integration into the EU. Forth, summarize some preliminary enlightenment through the initial economic effects in nearly 2 years for other transition countries, and the participation in regional economic integration of different countries in the same area as well.