This chapter presents a “primer” on the ten new members of the EU starting in May 2004. It summarises the income and structural differences between them and the old members of the EU and analyses a number of economic policy issues regarding growth, migration, public finances, trade, foreign...

This chapter presents forecasts of growth and inflation in the European economy for the year 2003 and assesses the current macroeconomic conditions for the whole area and for some individual countries.

This chapter analyses the current financial architecture of the euro area, questioning whether the current institutional arrangements are adequate to reduce the risk of financial crises, and deal with them if they occur.

Proposals for approximating and harmonising indirect taxes across Europe are central to the planned creation of a single European market in 1992. If implemented, the Commission's proposals would have major direct and indirect effects for a wide variety of European business. They would also have...

A new CEP report says that the financial system has become far more complicated than it need to be - and dangerously unstable too

This chapter discusses the current economic situation and the future outlook for Europe stressing the cause and implications of a strong euro as well as the need for a common fiscal framework through an improvement of the Stability and Growth Pact.