2004 enlargement of the European Union

The EU enlargement in 2004 was the fifth and most extensive enlargement of the European Union. It was fixed on 16 April 2003 in Athens in the 2003 Accession Treaty, which entered into force on 1 May 2004.

• Old Member Countries
• New Member States

Since the referenda in all signatory countries were positive, occurred on 1 May 2004 Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Hungary and Cyprus joined the EU. The EU was thus up to the recent enlargement to Bulgaria and Romania (1 January 2007) of 25 Member States.

The European Commission recommended on 9 October 2002, take these ten states. The decision to include fell on 13 December 2002 ( the end of accession negotiations ) in Copenhagen; the European Parliament approved on 9 April 2003. The signing of the Accession Treaty was held in Athens on 16 April 2003.

• 3.1 Enlargement of the Commission

• 4.1 General economic development
• 4.2 Industrial migration
• 4.3 Impact on the labor market
• 4.4 Germany

Reasons accession of the candidate countries

Reasons for the new members, especially for the countries of East Central Europe, were both economic benefits and their historical and cultural ties to the other members of the European Union. The areas of the states of East Central Europe belonged to an earlier part of the German Empire or to the Danube monarchy and have a mostly Protestant or Catholic, not Orthodox population.

History

Copenhagen criteria

The European Council in Copenhagen decided in June 1993, the "Copenhagen Criteria". They require a candidate country:

• Stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and protection of minorities
• Withstand a functioning market economy and the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the EU
• The ability, all obligations of membership - that is, ( the so-called "acquis communautaire" ) the whole of the EU law - to take over, and the adherence to the aims of political union as well as with those of the Economic and Monetary Union as the " acquis criterion ".

Europe and Association Agreements

In the early 1990s, the EU completed a Europe Agreement with the many Central and Eastern European countries with the aim of trade liberalization policies for political dialogue and cooperation, for example in the field of industry, environmental protection and traffic from. These agreements also include provisions and facilities on the approximation of legislation with EU law.

Support of efforts to join

Under a finance program, the EU introduced in the years 1990 to 2000, a total 10.6 billion euros. From 2000 to 2003, as a pre-accession aid for the ten candidate countries of Central and Eastern Europe 3.12 billion euros a year ready. The funds for Bulgaria and Romania from 2004 gradually increased, so that the EU in 2004 approximately 1.2 billion euros, in 2005 about 1.3 billion euros and 2006 about 1.4 billion euros per year as pre-accession aid for both accession countries granted together. Turkey received from 2001 to 2003 about 177 million euros annually. 250 million Euro, 2005 - - 300 million euros and 2006 - After the Copenhagen European Council in December 2002, which means a sizeable increase from 2004 Decision, 2004, Turkey was to receive 500 million euros.

Accession negotiations

The European Council in Luxembourg in 1997 the opening of accession negotiations, it was decided, why one sometimes referred to these 10 countries as Luxembourg - group of 12-13. December 2002 were completed.

Ratification of treaties

The last step remaining was the ratification by the current members and by each of the candidate countries of the contract. Most of the existing member states led by referenda, but leaving that decision to the parliaments, whereas referendums were held in most of the accession countries. With 'yes' was in 2003 voted as follows:

• Referendum in Malta: 54 percent (March 8 )
• Slovenia: 90 percent (23 March )
• Hungary: 83 percent (April 12 )
• Referendum in Lithuania: 91 percent ( 10 and 11 May )
• Slovakia: 92 percent ( 16 and 17 May )
• Referendum in Poland: 77 percent ( June 7 and 8 )
• Referendum in the Czech Republic: 77 percent ( 13 and 14 June )
• Referendum in Estonia: 67 percent (14 September )
• Referendum in Latvia: 68 percent (20 September )

Special features in the case of Cyprus

The application for and the achievement of the accession criteria fulfilled the Republic of Cyprus with its present de facto territory. Therefore, in 1974, international law, occupied by Turkey and then run as TRNC territory is regarded as special EU area in which EU law can not currently be enforced. Unification attempts of two parts or a withdrawal of Turkish troops have failed so far (see history of Cyprus ).

Festivals and events to expand in 2004

On 30 April 2004, 23:00 CEST clock, were due to the time difference the first four states, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Cyprus joined the European Union, an hour later, on 1 May 2004, at 0:00 clock, followed by the remaining six states, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic and Hungary. Europe took place the extension ceremonies, television galas, parties, especially in the capitals of the candidate countries and at key border crossings on the eve.

The former German Federal President Johannes Rau gave a speech to the two houses of the Polish Parliament, the Sejm and the Senate. This honor, as a foreign guest to hold a speech to parliament, only the former U.S. President Bill Clinton, the British Queen Elizabeth II and Pope John Paul II had not yet received. At the beginning of the speech, there was an uproar: the nationalist League of Polish Families (LPR ) boycotted the concert outside. In welcoming the delegates left demonstratively the hall. The LPR was one of the fiercest opponents of Poland's EU accession. It justified its boycott against Johannes Rau their protest against Poland's EU accession. " What should we celebrate, is a cause for sadness, not joy, because the terms were dictated to us, especially from Germany ," the party and deputy parliamentary leader Roman Giertych said afterwards. Aleksander Kwasniewski, the President of Poland, praised Rau. Johannes Rau was an " excellent German and a wonderful Europeans " and have held a " very good, very important, very clever " speech. Looking at the little optimistic mood in both countries Rau said: "Economic worries besetting the citizens. Old and new fears to rise. " We need to take this seriously. But behind it should not disappear the epochal significance of accession.

At the German -Polish border in Frankfurt ( Oder) / Słubice Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer and his Polish counterpart Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz symbolically opened the border on the Oder Bridge, which connects the two cities. The most widely used transition between the countries was initially locked for the evening hours. A fireworks display along the bridge popped the Oder in a sea of ​​lights. In Zittau, on the German - Czech-Polish border triangle, a ceremony of the Saxon State Government was held on the evening of 30 April 2004 in the former Federal Chancellor Helmut Kohl made ​​a speech. During the May 1, the commemorative event was continued. In the morning, the project of extension of the B 178 was introduced on the Neisse to Poland and the Czech Republic and symbolically completed the first sod of the German -Polish- Czech delegation. After the entries of the delegates to the golden books of the border communities Zittau, Bogatynia and Hradek nad Nisou, the actual ceremony began. The Government of Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic Gerhard Schroeder, Leszek Miller and Vladimír Špidla hoisted together the EU flag. They spoke out after being welcomed by the Prime Minister of Saxony Georg Milbradt in all three languages ​​for the united Europe. The final words were left to the EU Enlargement Commissioner Günter Verheugen. Against 14 clock traveled the government delegations for official reception of the new Member States to Dublin. Ireland held the presidency between 1 January and 30 June 2004.

In the split since September 3, 1947 the city of Gorizia on the Italian- Slovenian border, which is called on the Italian side of Gorizia and Nova Gorica on the Slovenian side, the border fences on May 1 were replaced by rose bushes. At the celebration on EU enlargement EU Commission President Romano Prodi, the Slovenian Prime Minister Anton Rop included the countdown. The 15,000 people from the Slovenian Nova Gorica and its 37,000 neighbors from Gorizia are thus again united under the umbrella of the EU.

On the afternoon of May 1, the official expansion ceremony took place at the residence of the Irish President Mary McAleese on the outskirts of Dublin instead. On this historic day for the people of Europe we clad in the ten Member States joining the family circle of the European Union, a warm welcome, greeted the hostess. Thereafter, the music of the European anthem, the flags of all the now 25 EU countries were hoisted solemnly. The Philharmonic Choir of the Irish broadcasting RTE intoned the hymn in German. The Prime Minister of Ireland, Bertie Ahern, stressed the historical importance of the extension. "Our European Union is truly unique," and founded ". Today's extension is the best witness to the success of the European Union " The Irish Presidency did her best to underline the profound significance of the day. The fall of the Iron Curtain was finally completed and thereby overcome the division of the continent. Renewal and future were the main terms that dominated during the celebrations. As a symbol of the future presented 25 children from the EU Member States Heads of State and Government of their flags. German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, the German flag from the twelve year old Laszlo Sztana presented, whose father Ungar and his mother is German. Laszlo is an example of the cross-border biographies on the old continent. He previously lived in Germany and Belgium and now in Ireland, where he attended a French lycée. He speaks German, Hungarian, English and French. Under similar multicultural conditions almost all children had grown up, which presented the flags.

The expansion was accompanied by television stations in 34 states as part of a Euro Vision mission in Germany transferred the ZDF. In Berlin Konzerthaus am Gendarmenmarkt guests from politics, business and culture were invited. The 10 new EU member states were presented by prominent guests and small film inserts, there was live circuits to Warsaw with musical contributions.

The European Parliament celebrated on 3 May 2004 in Strasbourg, together with the 162 new MPs from the 10 new members of the EU enlargement. Before the opening of the first meeting with the deputies of the old and new EU countries to all Speakers of the ten new Member States were presented the flag of their country by children in an official ceremony. These flags were then President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox passed. Later, the 10 new flags were hoisted in front of the Parliament. After a short speech of President Cox gave the guest of honor Lech Wałęsa the word. The new deputies had about a year of preparation in Parliament because they were involved after the signing of the Accession Treaty on 16 April 2003 in Athens at the invitation of Cox as observers already fully in the parliamentary life and the parliamentary advisory work. The number to be appointed by the individual parliaments deputies corresponded to the number of Members of the European Parliament, to which the country concerned under the Accession Treaty was entitled, and the appointment of deputies, taking due account of the political composition of the respective Parliament took place. Already the observer to attend the plenary sessions of the European Parliament, yet they were allowed to not take the word vote with or run for office. The committees and delegations to the observers, the word could be issued by the Chairman, but they also could neither vote nor run for office with. The mandate of all deputies ended at the end of the parliamentary term in June 2004. Parliament initially grew so only one session a week to 788 deputies. The following European Parliament, which was elected in all 25 Member States on 13 June 2004, had only a total of 732 members, for the 15 old EU member states had reduced their number of seats.

Transitional arrangements for EU accession

Nationals of Accession States joined the European Union within the meaning of Article 18 EC. Some of the relevant provisions of Community law, such as the free movement of workers, however, were temporarily suspended for the citizens of the candidate countries, because of the Accession Treaty and Act of Accession.

Nationals of Cyprus and Malta were from the beginning of the accession to take full freedom of movement; Transitional arrangements with restrictions on the free movement of workers foresaw only the Act of Accession of the Central and Eastern European accession countries.

The transitional arrangements see an up to seven years lasting " 2 3 2 model " before. The 15 "old" Member States ( or before the EFTA enlargement 1995) could during a transitional period of at least two years to maintain their existing national rules on access to the labor market to citizens of Central and Eastern European accession countries and were thus of Articles 1 to 6 (EEC ) No 1612 /68 ( free movement of workers within the Community - Access to employment ) vary. This provision that Member States could - according to a review based on a report from the European Commission - for another three years, and then extend by a further two years in the case of serious disturbances on the labor market or threat of such failure.

Enlargement of the Commission

Due to the enlargement of the EU enlarged and the European Commission. Each country was given the opportunity to appoint a commissioner. In November 2004 this Commission Prodi, however, this did not get a specific portfolio. The occupations in detail:

• Estonia: Siim Kallas
• Latvia: Kalniete
• Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite
• Malta: Joseph Borg
• Poland: Danuta Hübner
• Slovakia: Ján Figel '
• Slovenia: Janez Potočnik
• Czech Republic: Pavel Telička
• Hungary: Péter Balázs
• Cyprus: Marcos Kyprianou

For the reigning from November 2004 Commission José Barroso, the governments of Latvia nominated ( Andris Piebalgs ), Czech Republic ( Vladimír Špidla ) and Hungary ( Laszlo Kovacs ) but new members.

Economic viewing

General economic development

In Europe, the 15 prevailed before the accession of relatively poor new country a great deal of uncertainty, how the economy will develop by enlargement. Some years after the extension had been found that some fear was unfounded. From 2004 to 2008, the economy grew in the 10 new EU countries by almost 23%, in the 15 old EU member states put in the same period by about 8%. Thus, the wealth gap decreased. Also, the Western European economy could benefit from the demand of the booming East. However, concerns remain in the old EU Member States there.

This is mostly dominated by the fear of low-cost competition, which could flood the domestic markets and cost jobs. The competitive pressure, especially in the border areas to new lands, will certainly increase, however, promises seen specifically for these areas in the long run a positive development by the proximity to markets in the East. Thus, the simple rap can be seen on bad effects for the domestic market at least very differentiated.

From a macroeconomic perspective, this clear can be given because the weighting of the 10 new countries can be considered as relatively low. Although the members of the EU flock has increased by 67 % to 75 million new citizens (about 20 % increase), but the gross domestic product in Europe will rise by less than 5%.

The old economic structures in the accession countries are largely disappeared and been replaced by more modern systems in the course of the transformation process. A huge pent-up demand for goods and services promised by the market. The growth rates are larger than in the old Länder and thus arouse hopes and desires for companies from abroad who wish to benefit from the openness of the "new market". The foundations for this were laid by many companies even before the official expansion. Investments were made in joint ventures planned for the best possible starting position in the market to have and to secure shares.

However, the good prospects should not obscure the fact that the candidate countries have some very ailing economies and will need for decades despite higher growth rates in order to catch up with the old countries in economic terms can. It is an investment in the future, which will bring a protracted investment process itself. This includes in particular countries such as Spain and Portugal will suffer, as they are due to redistributions important funding for infrastructure, which they previously received from the EU to a not inconsiderable frame missing. Surely this support from Brussels can not contribute to a strong acceleration of the catching-up process, but are a good basis and prevent excessive drifting of economies in terms of the old EU countries.

The focus of the discussions is also always the development of the European common currency. If the stability of the euro at risk or enlargement means a further step in the consolidation of the course in competition with the U.S. dollar? Again, experts are not unanimous. The vast majority believes, however not of destabilization, but a strengthening, as new countries will have to pay very heavily on the compliance with the Maastricht criteria.

Also, economic policy could have a positive impact on the whole of the EU enlargement. The deadlock in the bodies and reforms that are driven too slow, likely due to the increased competition situation soon be a thing of the past. Now the EU legal regulations have to be implemented in the new countries. A point which is very important for various industries, such as the pharmaceutical industry. These calculated previously with a theft of their intellectual property and waived often on large investments in Eastern Europe.

Industrial migration

Often the question is raised in comments to EU enlargement, how the industry will move into the new accession countries. A development, which is observed for many years, but is apparently only now front and center. Companies would be " unpatriotic " button ( SPD Secretary-General Uwe Benneter ), this is by mass migrations of the question.

According to estimates from various research institutes however, this development is likely to be quite far-fetched to be considered. The East currently offers indeed a better wage situation, longer run times, better labor conditions, and offers a low-tax policy. However, these good base is not endure forever, and the countries in the long term to align the old EU countries in their cost structure and are also, since the accession also to EU regulations ( environmental protection, product standards, competition rules, etc.) bound.

Furthermore, it must find here an interesting aspect of attention. In interviews at various companies, it was found that not the good wage situation for a swap talks, but rather the establishment of his own company in the East, which represents an attractive market with many good sales prospects. In any case, excessive investment assistance and special agreements in the context of EU integration are exemptions no longer possible and Poland and the Czech Republic often been too expensive for the labor-intensive industry. Migration therefore did not turn away from your own state, but is a result of globalization urgently needed and is used to open up new markets and more favorable material purchasing, what benefits the export of these companies and thus strengthens the base in their home countries.

Already, there are a variety of joint ventures between the old EU and companies in the accession countries. Close ties and increasingly intensive business contacts dominate the overall picture. The expansion in terms of the economy was completed several years ago, and now it can be further developed barrier-free. In order to strengthen the long-term attractiveness and competitiveness of the domestic production facility, comprehensive reforms are required.

Impact on the labor market

Since the first discussions that took place on one of the EU's enlargement, heated discussions about the impact on the labor market are made. Is a wave of unemployment in Germany on the one side and on the other side with an army of workers from the accession countries, which threatens to swamp our labor market can be expected? Or is this just a ghost that society and politicians in fear and terror seem to move?

Anticipation should be noted here that the German economy and population has ever been confronted in history with such a situation. Increased immigration movement is already strongly reduced on one side by the immigration restrictions that were imposed on the new Länder. On the other hand, is a successful existence in another country requires an adaptation to the local requirements. If this is not fulfilled, low-paid unskilled work or social assistance for the denial of living would hardly suffice. Thus, potential immigrants prefer to stay in their own country, where they feel comfortable, understand the language and have a family support.

Due to the low labor costs and simpler framework, of course, different companies, especially in the labor-intensive sector, about outsourcing of production will think to Eastern Europe and thus lost jobs. What is interesting is that investing abroad usually have a positive impact on the domestic market. But this must be kept in mind that primarily benefit higher -skilled jobs and low -skilled workers may come under pressure. Due to the good conditions of the new accession countries, which can come up with well-trained staff, the policy is here clearly calls for the competitiveness through sustainable reforms, especially in education policy to promote.

From a social science perspective of the EU eastern enlargement process has ambivalent effects on workers, especially in the area of ​​labor market policy. The emphasis on neo-liberal or radical market principles were human rights standard, back- democratic, civilian and parliamentary policies and practices in the background so that equality laws ( equality policy ) against the EU guidelines on human rights and especially the gender mainstreaming no specific requirement for the EU accession were. So it came against the background of the socialist past of the newly acceded countries in some respects to a real depreciation of the position of women, to cuts in their civil, social and political rights to meet market demands economic justice. Especially women in the " Eastern bloc countries " are affected by the labor market more flexible by a rising unemployment rate.

Germany

Due to its geographical location and economic ties to the candidate countries ( Germany's exports in the new states about 50%) Germany will be very much affected by the European enlargement and feel its effects with the most.

Experts here represent the diverse opinions. Opportunity or risk? The German Institute for Economic Research (DIW ) in Berlin foresees no dramatic development since the trade was already largely liberalized. The volume of trade with the eastern states could be nearly doubled in recent years. Even now, many companies in Germany in the Eastern European countries are active and have been able to establish a good position in the market. Basically is likely the majority of German companies from the formal enlargement of the EU on 1 May not be delivered strong upheaval since the economic integration has been running for years and is largely completed.

Problems could arise, however, provide for the little craft, especially near the border. While it is not possible to get Eastern European workers in the first seven years directly work in Germany without permission, but can cross -related companies, such as expand its reach significantly in the Czech Republic and the local company run by lower prices the rank.

Worry in Germany mainly structurally weak areas, which threatens the absence of EU support. East Germany, where there is great unemployment, losing a high probability of its funding stage ( Objective 1 status) and thus important investment funds for construction and infrastructure. Experts believe that these areas lose in the short term due to high labor costs to competitiveness against the new states are, however, benefit in the long run due to their direct neighborhood to new markets in the East, by the extension.

Experiences on the anniversary 2005

To mark the first anniversary of the 2004 enlargement was Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero -Waldner, the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation ( OE1 ) a detailed interview in which, among other things following questions were addressed:

• Harsh Commission's work through larger body? - The work was not difficult, but different: for example, greater diversity and transparency, greater sensitivity Betr. energy issues and with Russia ( eg Latvia).
• Nichtregierbarkeit? - Threatened not, but better preparation of meetings and effective work method necessary, especially because often shorter speaking time. The more difficult decision- determination is to be countered by new constitution.
• Lack of acceptance of enlargement in the population: for many, actually too fast, including because before standing. Romania and Bulgaria, but decision and timing was right. Otherwise great disappointment would also be triggered there.
• Fears of the population: exist, but a common phenomenon when insufficient knowledge prevails. Necessary "homework" governed by contract (especially the rule of law and fight against corruption).
• EU - skepticism: they mostly concerns the globalization, against the just, the European Union is providing suitable answers (eg Kyoto process).
• Foreign Policy: Expansion as an opportunity to increased weight of Europe, " export " the best model of the world society ( socio -economic balance, workers' rights, etc.)