The paper analyses the evolution of the trade specialisation pattern in the ten countries which will join the EU in 2004, by studying the dynamics of their comparative advantages over the period 1993-2000. The study finds that, although some countries are still broadly relying on natural...

Pricing-to-market (PTM) behaviour implies that exporters adjust their prices to the prevailing prices in their export markets. For the importing country, PTM effects can be interpreted as a measure of the stability of domestic prices against foreign price and exchange rate developments. PTM...

This paper analyses the relationship between openness to trade and wages at the industry level (15 manufacturing industries) in 25 EU countries over the period from 1995 to 2005. By applying a cross-country and industry-specific approach, it is possible to control for unobserved heterogeneity at...

There is an ongoing debate in the literature about the quality content of Chinese exports and to what extent China imposes a threat to the market positions of advanced economies. While China’s export structure is very similar to that of the advanced world, its export unit values are well below...

...l’insertion dans la mondialisation pourrait être mieux maîtrisée et, transitoirement, la politique commerciale extérieure commune, en mettant dans une certaine mesure le marché communautaire à l’abri de chocs commerciaux trop forts en provenance de pays tiers, pourrait favoriser la...

This evaluation was commissioned by the Evaluation Unit of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development. It evaluates the European Union’s (EU) Joint Programming process during the period 2011-2015. It covers all regions and countries of EU...

The objective of this study is to contribute to an ongoing background analysis, building on work already carried out within and outside of the European Commission with respect to engagement in the garment sector to support sustainability in the garment industry. The analysis will essentially...

The paper examines the determinants of location choices of French multinational firms in eastern and western Europe. The sample includes 1,843 location choices in 19 countries over the years 1980-1999. The results suggest there might be important differences between the two regions of Europe...

Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to the Baltic countries were driven by different factors. Initially the process of privatisation and low labour costs attracted investment into public utilities and manufacturing. Later, taking advantage of the Baltic geographical location, further FDI...

Russia is now again one of the 10 largest economies in the world. Additionally, it is the EU’s 3rd largest trading partner, and an essential energy supplier. This recovery makes Russia an economic – and political – actor in Europe that cannot be ignored.This Country Focus describes...