Brussels, 30 April
Ten years ago, on 1 May 2004, the EU
enlarged from 15 to 25 Member States (and with two subsequent
enlargements to 28). It brought stability and reunited Europe after
years of artificial division during the cold war; it made the EU the
world’s biggest single market and increased trade between Member States,
thus contributing to economic growth and strengthening further Europe’s
weight in global affairs.
On this occasion Štefan Füle, Commissioner in charge of Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy said:
‘The
10th anniversary of the 2004 enlargement is a very special moment. I am
pleased to join the President who already outlined the successes that
enlargement brings. Let me add some more specifics:
Enlargement
is in Europe’s DNA. It is a key EU policy. It is the most powerful
instrument of transformation – it serves as a strong incentive for
reforms.
Enlargement is also the most effective and powerful tool we have for strengthening security.
Together – in a united Europe – we can better face the consequences of globalisation, the financial crisis or climate change.
And
enlargement has made us all more prosperous. Accession benefited both
those countries joining the EU and the established Member States.
Enlargement
boosted growth and improved living standards in the acceding
countries. It provided new export and investment opportunities for the
15 established members.
Growth in the acceding countries
contributed to growth in the ”old” Member States through increased
investment opportunities and demand for their products.
Just some facts to illustrate the developments since 2004:
- the economic dynamism of the then ‘new’ EU countries generated three million new jobs in just six years from 2002 to 2008;
- German exports to the 12 countries that joined since 2004, have almost doubled since then;
- UK exports grew by approximately 50%;
- for the Netherlands enlargement generated additional income of € 11bn;
- Austria’s yearly GDP increased by 0.4% thanks to enlargement since 2004
Enlargement
also strengthened the EU globally: While the EU had 7% share of global
population in 2012, our share of global GDP was 23%.
- we are amongst the top 5 best performing economies in the world
- the EU is the largest player on the global trading scene
- the EU is the largest source and destination of the foreign direct investment
And looking forward I see three priorities:
1. continuing the process which we have started four years ago to
strengthen the credibility and political side of enlargement and to
bring the benefits of enlargement closer to the citizens of the EU
countries.
2. to make sure that the two policies which
accompanied the EU from the very beginning –enlargement on one side and
deepening of the integration on the other side, interact also in the
future in a reinforcing way to the benefit of the EU.
3. through
enlargement we are becoming bigger and stronger, to be better equipped
to face the consequences and use the opportunities of globalisation.
There
are 7-8 countries knocking on our doors at a time when some in the EU
started to have doubts. It is extremely valuable thing to have countries
knocking on our doors. If this knocking stops it might be too late to
sound the alarm bells that something is not going right as far as the EU
is concerned.
Thank you very much for celebrating with us the 10th anniversary of this big enlargement.’
Watch the statement here: http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/video/player.cfm?ref=I088753
For more information: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-325_en.htm
