The Economic Dividend of EU Enlargement

Join IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos at CEPS on Tuesday, September 8, for the launch of a new IMF Departmental Paper, "Bridging Borders: Making the Most of EU Accession." Commissioner Kos will give opening remarks and Managing Director Georgieva will present the paper, followed by a moderated conversation with CEPS Chief Executive Officer Karel Lannoo on how to make EU enlargement work for both new and existing members and how to maximize the economic potential of an enlarged Union. EU enlargement is an opportunity not only to accelerate growth and raise living standards in candidate countries, but also to strengthen the enlarged Union's economy. The paper estimates that, under the right conditions, GDP per capita in the Western Balkans and Moldova could increase by around a third within a decade of joining the Union. Realizing this potential will require three mutually reinforcing policy levers. Domestic structural reforms anchored in the EU acquis, deeper integration into the Single Market, and effective use of EU funding each contribute broadly to the overall gains. Together, these measures can raise productivity and incomes in new Member States, supported by stronger institutions, better governance, and a more dynamic private sector. The benefits, however, need not stop at the EU's future members. Enlargement can also generate gains for existing Member States by expanding markets and investment opportunities, and deeper integration into the Single Market can help unlock further potential across the enlarged Union. More: https://www.ceps.eu/ceps-events/the-economic-dividend-of-eu-enlargement-making-the-most-of-eu-accession