The accession of ten new members to the European Union on May 1st 2004 was among the most significant developments in the history of European integration. Based upon studies conducted by the European Forecasting Network, this 2006 book analysed key aspects of the impact of this enlargement with reference to eight of the ten new Member States, namely the Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs). It demonstrated that the enlargement had the potential to create profound consequences for both the new Member States and the pre-accession members of the Union, given the unparalleled magnitude of the enlargement, the fact that the CEECs had levels of prosperity and economic development well below the Union average, and their history of participation in centrally planned regimes. The contributions examined regional policy, the debate about accession to the EMU, the macroeconomic trajectories of the Central and Eastern European economies and their likely development.

Review of the hardback:'The economic impacts of the recent enlargement of the European Union on both old and new member states have come to the forefront of political debate across Europe. This timely volume brings clear-headed depth to the subject, with its valuable and well-grounded analyses that draw on state-of-the art research by an international team of economists.'

Helen Wallace - Director, Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute

Review of the hardback:'This is a very useful book, containing a wealth of facts and insightful analysis on the economic structure of Central and Eastern European countries. I am sure the book will become standard reference for the policy discussion on how to respond to the challenges that these countries are facing with membership of the European Union and the European Monetary Union.'

Lucrezia Reichlin - Director General Research, European Central Bank

Review of the hardback:'This book presents a thorough analysis of some of the most pertinent issues in the process of economic integration of the recently acceded Member States. It is a very timely and welcome contribution in a research area of high policy relevance.'

Juergen Kroeger - European Commission