UNUnited Nations Economic Commission for Europe

Press Release

[Index]      

EU Enlargement: towards increased prosperity and security

Workshop on "TRADE, BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT IN A WIDER EUROPE"
7 April 2003, 10:00 - 18:00
Palais des Nations (Conference Room XX), Geneva

Geneva, 1 April 2003 - Next year the European Union expands its borders to the south and to the east to include 10 new Member States.1 This will have a significant economic impact on those countries who currently have no prospect of EU membership but who will find themselves sharing their borders with the EU and other non-acceding ECE members. Enlargement is an opportunity to promote stability and prosperity beyond the new borders of the EU through further economic integration by strengthening trade, increasing FDI, deepening cooperation in environment, etc.

To discuss some of the major issues regarding the relations of an enlarged EU and non-acceding ECE members including neighbouring countries, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) is holding an all-day workshop on Monday, April 7. Speakers will include representatives of the European Commission and several institutions dealing with European issues. Among the topics are:

  • Trade between the EU and its near neighbours
  • Impact of a 25-member EU on its near neighbours
  • Investment prospects
  • Prospects for a pan-European free-trade area.

"At UNECE we are optimistic about the prospects for the enlarged EU. We see the European integration process as a building block for the future of a stable, prosperous and secure Europe", says Ms Brigita Schmögnerová, Executive Secretary of UNECE.

The Workshop will offer an opportunity to people from Governments, business, international organizations, and anyone with an interest in European integration and regional development to learn more about the future shape and direction of European integration.

Participation is free, but advance registration is necessary.


The programme for the Workshop can be found on the UNECE web site at:

http://www.unece.org/trade/


The following European Commission website contains both general and detailed information on the enlargement process:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/enlargement/

 

For further information or to register for the Workshop, please contact:

Ms Romi Chopra or Ms Alexandra Reidon
Trade Development and Timber Division
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Palais des Nations, Office 433-2 / 454
CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland

Tel. +41 (0) 22 917 39 27 / 917 35 70
Fax: +41 (0) 22 917 00 37
E-mail: [email protected]
or [email protected]

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1 The 10 countries joining the European Union on 1 May 2004 are: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Ref: ECE/TRADE/03/P01