Schmögnerová, Brigita --- "Europe - towards economic stability and prosperity?" [2003] ELECD 128; in Tumpel-Gugerell, Gertrude; Mooslechner, Peter (eds), "Structural Challenges for Europe" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2003)

Book Title: Structural Challenges for Europe

Editor(s): Tumpel-Gugerell, Gertrude; Mooslechner, Peter

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781843764748

Section: Chapter 28

Section Title: Europe - towards economic stability and prosperity?

Author(s): Schmögnerová, Brigita

Number of pages: 7

Extract:

28. Europe ­ towards economic
stability and prosperity?
Brigita Schmögnerová

Europe's position in the world economy in 2020 will very much depend on
developments in the EU: (1) EU enlargement; (2) the process of catching-
up within the EU and vis-à-vis the US as well as developments in non-EU
European economies, in particular the Russian Federation and perhaps
some other European CIS countries; (3) the expansion of the euro zone and
the performance of the euro.


1. THE EU IN 2020

What might the EU look like in 2020? By 2020, the EU can be expected to
have changed substantially in terms of geographical frontiers. Today's EU
is on the verge of historic enlargement into former Communist central and
Eastern Europe.

The current wave of accession looks set to happen in 2004, enlarging
today's 15-member EU to a 25-member entity. Bulgaria and
Romania could join in 2007, as long as ­ according to the European
Commission ­ the ongoing reforms to implement the acquis, to tackle
corruption and to improve the public administration and the judici-
ary system continue.
As regards Turkey, another aspiring member, the European
Commission's most recent Progress Report assessment was that the
political criteria to open accession negotiations with the EU have not
been fully met. Concerns focus on the independence of the judiciary,
continuous allegations of torture and ill treatment in prisons and
the status of religious and ethnic minorities. However, the growing
commitments of the Turkish government to ...