The Political Economy of EU Enlargement.

... The Political Economy of EU Enlargement Introduction Enlargement generally is motivated by political factors and the current enlargement is no exception. Enlargement has economic effects and these can be important but are not decisive. The enlargement to the Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs) has two principal motivations in the EU 15: 1. The desire to end the artificial division of Europe that existed in the Cold War, combined with a sense of historic obligation related to West's acquiescence in that division. 2. Security: to expand the area where democracy, the rule of law and prosperity holds sway. Countries on the Baltic and bordering the CEECs see particular advantages in enlargement: security and a reduction in their peripherality. Economic advantages are likely to be greatest for these countries. The UK is very supportive of enlargement not least because of its involvement in the division of Europe. France, Spain and Portugal are lukewarm over enlargement, their

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