EU expansion into poorer countries has been good for them as well as for original richer EU members

from Western Europe.

http://ec.europa.eu/news/economy/090220_1_en.htm

"Expanding eastwards – an EU success story."

"In its most recent expansion, the EU added 12 new countries from central/eastern Europe and the Mediterranean – mainly in 2004 (Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia) and then again in 2007 (Romania and Bulgaria)."

"This was the biggest EU enlargement ever and a historic step towards unifying Europe after decades of Cold War division."

"At the time, some of the 15 existing EU countries were worried about the impact the new members would have on their economies and social systems. But five years later a study by the commission shows that those fears were unfounded and that expansion has been a win-win situation for member countries new and old.

The expansion has contributed to significant improvements of living standards in new member countries, to modernisation of their economies and to more stabilised institutions and laws. It has also created new investment and export opportunities for enterprises in old member countries. And the whole EU has benefited from increased trade between members, becoming more competitive."
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Nice to see that the progressive societies of Western Europe have invited many of the poorer countries of Central and Eastern Europe to join the EU (and are in negotiations with several others) and that the enlarged union with borders open to immigration and trade has been mutually beneficial for rich and poor countries alike. The newer EU members have seen improved living standards and better functioning governments and legal systems.

Much of the EU's success at achieving this integration is thanks to progressive natures of the societies of Western Europe that constituted the pre-expansion EU. Having guaranteed health care, a strong social safety net, strong unions, and progressive taxation allows their citizens to consider the prospect of opening borders to countries much less wealthy than theirs, with less fear of change than we might have in the US.

It's the future..

(almost 500 million people) and almost as strong economically (GDP just 7% less) as the US.

Still it seems to me that most Europeans cherish their national identities, while they enthusiastically support EU membership at the same time. Maybe in another generation or two. Who knows? :)

:)

:(

:shrug: