Press Release: Five years of an enlarged EU has brought lasting benefits and left Europe better placed to tackle the current crisis

The recent enlargements of the European Union were a milestone in the process of unifying Europe and have brought benefits to citizens throughout the Union. Economically, enlargement has led to increased living standards in the new Member States, while creating export and investment opportunities for the old ones. It has also helped consolidate democracy, stability and security on our continent. An enlarged EU carries more weight when addressing issues of global importance be it climate change or the world economy and its governance. Five years on the EU is not only bigger, it is also stronger, more dynamic and culturally richer. In the current difficult global context, the big challenge is to resist any temptation of protectionist tendencies that would destroy the huge benefits for citizens brought about by the creation of a border free single market of 500 million people.