EU Eastward Enlargement After 20 Years: Socially and Economically Sustainable Convergence?

The twenty years since the Eastern Enlargement of the EU in 2004 have generally borne out the hopes that at the time were placed in what was seen as the reunification of the continent. Economic performance in the new member states have steadily converged with those in the EU15. The substantial initial income gaps did lead to very substantial labour migration, some of it of a circular nature. The ensuing problems led to policy initiatives such as the revised posted workers directive and he European Labour Authority. The social model in east-central European countries remains underdeveloped. Among other issues this should be addressed as the EU considers a reinforced cohesion policy and a likely renewed wave of eastern enlargement, which, though, will likely occur under very different conditions.