25 member states, more than 70 million new EU citizens, and nine more official languages – that sums up the hitherto largest round of EU enlargement in 2004. It was a huge political and economic challenge – and a historic opportunity. After decades of living as a divided continent, Eastern and Western Europe were reunited.

Today, ten years later, Europe is still very aware of what enlargement towards the east means. Croatia is the most recent member of the European family; it joined on 1 January 2013 and became the 28th EU member state. "With European unification, Europe has learned from its history. Europe will continue to offer us the promise of peace, liberty and prosperity in the 21st century," said Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Economic and political benefits

EU enlargements offers both new and old members economic and political benefits. In the new member states, economies are being modernised and growing thanks to access to the European single market. The standard of living is rising tangibly.

For older member states, enlargement has brought new markets for investment and exports. Increasing trade is strengthening the European single market and making the EU more competitive. New member states have also had support with reforming their political systems: stability, democracy and fundamental rights have been put in place, and many people have seen their quality of life improve.

For EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Štefan Füle, this is a reason to continue this policy today. "The EU’s enlargement policy is making Europe safer and more stable. It allows us to grow, to develop our values and to act as a global player on the world stage."

A positive balance after ten years

The fears of some countries, that they might not be able to hold their own against international competitors if they were part of the EU have proved groundless. Quite the reverse is true, as the example of Poland demonstrates. Greater integration into European and international markets have allowed the Polish economy to grow, more foreign capital flowed it, and national products became more competitive. Polish agriculture and infrastructure have also benefitted from EU funding.

Hungary’s foreign minister János Martonyi also sees ten years of EU membership as grounds to celebrate. Accession to the EU has made Hungary stronger, he says.