European integration and adjustment in border regions in accession countries

摘要: Border regions in accession countries are not the exception but rule, since they cover almost 66% of land and account for 58% total population. The fall Berlin wall has put borders a state flux, with changes occurring physical location perhaps their economic significance as well: "core" markets moved from East to West, raising new challenges opportunities development western border regions, serious concerns located along Eastern border, potentially more sensitive collapse CMEA former Soviet Union. This paper aims at exploring analysing on comparative basis impact enlargement EU Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Romania Slovenia. These five have different levels geographical co-ordinates that make analysis interesting. Hungary Slovenia relatively advanced than Bulgaria Romania. In addition, Estonia is North European country sharing its Finland, while Central showing common Austria. Southern bordering, respectively, Italy Austria, Greece. does share any EU-15. As result, seem advantage proximity Western core countries, others do not. order achieve overall objective, will first provide definition identification candidate countries. Every region, fact, unique: meaning may change dramatically through space time. Secondly, it descriptive relative position within each respect EU-15 average. Thirdly, develop an econometric model able analyse determinants regional specialisation type (internal vs border; versus eastern etc.). particular, work explore how ongoing process integration affecting which winning loosing this process, terms growth prospects. classification be used evaluate likely distributional implications under considerations. empirical results, though limited some counts, serve reminder regions' challenges. They allow identify present patterns trends, represent good baseline inference what might expect bring.