*Ø* Blogmanac | Post-WW2 division of Europe ends with EU expansion
By Adam Jasser
"WARSAW (Reuters) -- The division of Europe finally comes to an end this week when nations consigned to live under communist rule after World War Two fulfil their ambition to join the Western rich man's club, the European Union.
"From May 1, the EU will embrace not only former Warsaw Pact countries held in Moscow's grip for nearly half a century, but part of the old Soviet Union itself with the accession of the Baltic states -- Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
"The 600-mile shift to the east will also include the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. Together with Cyprus and Malta, the new members will push the EU population up by 75 million to 450 million.
"Across the continent, fireworks and street parties will greet the EU's biggest one-off expansion -- from 15 to 25 members.
"Despite the euphoria, the new members are under no illusions. Even with fast economic growth, they remain poor by EU standards with wealth levels at a third of the EU average and a combined economic output at about five percent of the bloc's.
"Supporters of enlargement see the new EU as testimony of a dream to bring peace and prosperity to a continent for centuries riven by war.
"'In a modern world where people tend to use the word 'historic' far too readily, this is a truly historic development,' Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, said last week."
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By Adam Jasser
"WARSAW (Reuters) -- The division of Europe finally comes to an end this week when nations consigned to live under communist rule after World War Two fulfil their ambition to join the Western rich man's club, the European Union.
"From May 1, the EU will embrace not only former Warsaw Pact countries held in Moscow's grip for nearly half a century, but part of the old Soviet Union itself with the accession of the Baltic states -- Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
"The 600-mile shift to the east will also include the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. Together with Cyprus and Malta, the new members will push the EU population up by 75 million to 450 million.
"Across the continent, fireworks and street parties will greet the EU's biggest one-off expansion -- from 15 to 25 members.
"Despite the euphoria, the new members are under no illusions. Even with fast economic growth, they remain poor by EU standards with wealth levels at a third of the EU average and a combined economic output at about five percent of the bloc's.
"Supporters of enlargement see the new EU as testimony of a dream to bring peace and prosperity to a continent for centuries riven by war.
"'In a modern world where people tend to use the word 'historic' far too readily, this is a truly historic development,' Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, said last week."
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