Enlargement - What's in it for trade

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On 1st May 2004 the European Union welcomes 10 new countries. This historic integration marks the reunification of Western and Eastern Europe and an extension of the EU towards Southern Europe. But, beyond these symbolic achievements, what benefits will enlargement bring as far as trade is concerned? Give your opinion, ask questions to Commissioners Pascal Lamy and Danuta Hübner and confront other people's point of view on our online forum.

On 1st May 2004 the European Union (EU) welcomes 10 new countries: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. The EU becomes the world largest trading block: almost half a billion citizens, accounting for one fifth of world trade income. From 1 May, the EU will be the largest barrier-free market in the world, bigger than the US, Canada and Mexico together. This will be a market open to the rest of the world: The 10 countries will become part of the EU Customs Union, leading to an overall reduction in border protection from 9 to 4%.

What does this imply for all citizens from the 15 'old' Member States, citizens from the 10 'new" Member States, but also for people from third countries? Are firms going to delocalise in the new Member States? Will the current EU trade with third countries be diverted in favour of the new members? What will be the new EU policy towards its 'new' neighbouring countries? Will the EU change its positions in the international trade negotiations?

Give your opinion, confront other people's point of view or ask questions to Danuta Hübner and Pascal Lamy on our online forum:

When: From 29 April till 28 May 2004

Where: http://trade-info.cec.eu.int/forum_enlarg/index.htm

For more information on trade and enlargement:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/enlargement_en.htm

About the trade implications of EU enlargement:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/bilateral/regions/candidates/ff040204_en.htm

For a sectoral overview:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/bilateral/regions/candidates/sect_ovw.htm

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• The New European Union of 25 (6/5/2003)