Los Fondos Estructurales y la ampliación al Este de la Unión Europea

This paper addresses the potential impact of the current European Union (EU) enlargement process on EU economic and social cohesion programmes. The first part highlights the reason why enlargement is a priority for the EU and explains the pre-enlargement strategy carried out in the nineties. The Agenda 2000 proposals and the funding avenues provided for EU enlargement are subsequently examined, assessing the repercussions of enlargement on structural actions and the EU as a whole. One of the main conclusion is that, although it is a difficult process requiring considerable adjustment, it is an excellent opportunity to contribute to political stability and economic and social progress in Europe.