This paper presents evidence for structural differences in economic growth dynamics between the current EU and the central- and eastern European accession countries. Two important results emerge from the analysis. First, accession countries have posted higher average growth and wider output...

This paper analyses the link between finance and growth by studying the effect that the process of financial deregulation and harmonisation of banking laws at the EU level has brought about on growth over the last 40 years. Our main findings point to the existence of a positive long-run growth...

The study analyses macroeconomic policy-making in the European Union and the role of the European Parliament in it. There are three parts to the study. The first is concerned with policy-making procedures. The second analyses the implementation of the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines (BEPGs) and...

The 2004 EU enlargement will most likely yield major benefits to the new member countries in the long run. The new members will be able to capture gains from trade in goods and services and will moreover benefit from a continued inflow of financial and real capital. Without doubt, these...

Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into Central and Eastern Europe declined from a record $31 billion in 2002 to a low of $21 billion last year, the result of the end of privatisation in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, according to the World Investment Report 2004: The Shift Towards...

The economic gap between the EU and three candidate countries - Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey - is significant. Living standards, as measured by GDP per capita at PPP, are less than one third of the level prevailing in the former EU-15 u0096 and about half of the average level in the new member...

The paper states that economic growth is picking up in Turkey and the economy is on the road to recovery. It concludes that it is up to the Turkish policy makers to make sure that the countryu0092s economy will leave its grave problems behind and enjoy a bright future. Despite the recent...

The new member states should not expect EU money to lead to miracles. The most important ingredients of catch-up growth are a stable macroeconomic framework; supply-side policies that help markets to adjust quickly; and a well-trained, flexible workforce. EU aid will only make a positive...

The accession of eight Central and Eastern European countries to the European Union in 2004 will bring some important benefits. The new members will gain from reduced barriers to trade and investment. By 2010, the movement of labour will also be freed. But accession to the EU is neither a...

The Lisbon strategy could reinvigorate Europeu0092s economy and boost employment. In 2000 the European leaders agreed to stimulate economic growth and employment and make Europeu0092s economy the most competitive in the world. If Europe would really reach the goals they set, Europeu0092s Gross...