European Union accession and land tenure data in Central and Eastern Europe
Grover, Richard
The European Union has been going through a major period of expansion, with ten new members, mainly from Central and Eastern Europe joining in 2004, two more expected to join in 2007, and two countries being given the status of Candidate Country. The Stabilisation and Association Process has opened the way to the eventual membership of the countries of the Western Balkans. The enlargement process has brought in countries that are significantly poorer than the existing Member States and whose economies have required considerable restructuring in order to be eligible for membership. The applicants have to undertake adjustments to meet EU requirements, including the adoption of the body of EU law, known as the acquis communitaire, before becoming members. Unlike earlier rounds of enlargement, new members have not been permitted extensive transitional periods once they have joined. Although land markets are an area of national rather than EU responsibility, the EU has made considerable demands on the new members in terms of their land markets. This is because land market activities impact upon certain common policies, particularly the Common Agricultural Policy, and on the free movement of capital. There can be no freedom of investment unless citizens and companies from elsewhere in the EU are able to own assets, including land. Inability to own assets will also have adverse impact on the free mobility of labour and of enterprise. Free movement of factors of production is central to the EUUs Internal Market.
Event: XXIII International FIG Congress : Shaping the change
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