Yet, some significant shortcomings persist.
Arnaldo Abruzzini, Secretary General of EUROCHAMBRES, commented: "The overall economic impact of enlargement is generally positive or even very positive. Virtually all responding Chambers believe that EU membership benefited SMEs in their countries. However, we have to reflect on some less positive messages. Our members perceive persisting significant barriers in the Internal Market, especially of administrative and regulatory nature, coupled with problems related to workers' migration and lack of qualified workforce."
Membership expected to help through economic crisis
Most Chambers believe that EU membership will help their economy through the current economic crisis, which is hitting particularly strongly some Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. This is thanks to enhanced macroeconomic stability, coordination at EU level and the availability of more sources of funding. Chambers from those countries which joined the Euro area mentioned the elimination of exchange rate risk as a fundamental asset in the present situation.
However, we currently witness a massive capital outflows from the CEE region. The current crisis is putting at risk the substantial economic benefits gained from enlargement, especially for those countries which are not part of the Euro area.
"We call on the Council and the Commission to make sure, through strong coordination and timely actions, that this crisis will not mark a dramatic economic setback for the new Member States, which are a vital part of the EU single market and of Europe's economic prosperity," concluded Mr Abruzzini.
