Therefore I believe this is not a matter of choice and should be pursued. The most crucial point is that, since the sectors that are already open will fall behind if they do not maintain competitiveness, therefore, it is the competitiveness of sectors that are not yet open that will determine the national competitiveness. I have often mentioned this view, through various channels.
For example, the share of China and the new EU Member States in extra-euro area trade increased from 11.7% in 1998 to 17.2% in 2005. Also the increase in extra-euro area trade in services was remarkable: from about 7.5% of GDP in 1998 to around 9.5% in 2005.