I am optimistic that the integration process will lead to similar benefits for the other countries in Southeastern Europe. In addition, the new Member States as well as Bulgaria and Romania have achieved a high degree of integration with the EU-15 over the past decade.
Trade links deepened in both directions following the start of the transition process, owing – among other things – to the gradual dismantling of trade barriers in the framework of Association Agreements. The EU-15 is today not only the most important trading partner in the region, but also its biggest foreign investor.