Forum Report of the Economic Policy Initiative no. 2

Contributors: Jürgen von Hagen, Andrej Kumar,Elzbieta Kawecka-Wyrzykowska

Edited by: Lorand Ambrus-Lakatos, Mark E Schaffer

Recently launched by the Centre for Economic Policy Research and the Institute for EastWest Studies, the Economic Policy Initiative is a programme of interrelated activities designed to strengthen and ‘multilateralize’ the public policy process in the Associated Countries of Central Europe, and help prepare them for accession to the EU. The semi-annual EPI Forum brings together decision-makers from the private sector and policy community with researchers from Central and Western Europe, to discuss a key economic policy issue. The Forum considers the report of an expert working group, who then incorporate in to their report the comments and recommendations of the Forum for publication.

The second EPI Forum Report presents 3 different perspectives on how the EU and the Central and East European (CEE) countries should come to terms with accession. Jürgen von Hagen looks at the problem inherent in the uncertainty of how effectively, and how enthusiastically, the CEE countries can implement EU legislation. He considers a gradual enlargement process, with CEE countries building the credibility of their commitments to establishing market economies and thereby reducing this uncertainty. Andrej Kumar considers the key question of how the enlargement of the EU would contribute to the CEE countries’ ultimate goal of catching up with the most developed economies in the world. Finally, Elzbieta Kawecka-Wyrzykowska presents the view that the enlargement of the EU, by creating a larger common market, is clearly beneficial both for the current members of the EU and for the CEE countries. At the same time, there are overwhelming political and security reasons for the incorporation of the Eastern countries; to ensure a stable and safe European Union in the future.

Coming to Terms with Accession, Forrum Report of the Economic Policy Initiative no. 2

Contributors: Jürgen von Hagen, Andrej Kumar,Elzbieta Kawecka-Wyrzykowska, £10/$14.95, (paper), November 1996, xviii+114, ISBN 1 898128 27 8

The first EPI Forum Report was published in April 1996. Written by Ron Anderson, Erik Berglöf and Kálmán Mizsei, it assesses banking sector developments in Central and Eastern Europe, identifying the critical policy choices that are likely to determine whether or not these countries follow high growth paths leading to the mainstream of Western Europe.

Banking Sector Development in Central and Eastern Europe, Forum Report of the Economic Policy Initiative no. 1, £10/$14.95, (paper), April 1996, xvi + 112, ISBN 1 898128 24 3