EIU report shows EU membership will not result in a magic transformation

According to an Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) report, if the economy continued to grow at 2.9% per annum it would need at least 59 years to catch up with the EU average. On the other hand, smaller countries entering the Union in 2004, like Cyprus, Malta and Slovenia, will require about 20-30 years to reach the Union's average. More than half of polled top level managers across the world, think that EU accession will increase the level of foreign direct investment in new member states. On the other hand, only 21% of managers claim that their companies will invest new capital in countries joining the EU, while 19% of them think their companies will continue substantial investments in those states. The report revealed expectations that the number of mergers and acquisitions will grow, while almost two-thirds forecast improvements in corporate culture after Poland joins the EU. (Parkiet, p. 6; Rzeczpospolita, p. B5) M.M.