Eastern enlargement: the sooner, the better?

This conference volume discusses the pros and cons of early integration into the European Union of Eastern transition countries, given the information available at the turn of the century. The questions posed refer to the structural gap between accession countries (ACs) and the EU, the optimal exchange rate regime for ACs, and the effects on employment in either area of international fragmentation. On balance, discussions tilted towards early enlargement. However, there was also consensus that accession must be subject to successful establishment of market attitudes and thorough implementation of the acquis communautaire.