Comparative Study of Central, East European, Baltic & Turkish Economies With a View to Future Membership in the EU

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to comparatively study the Central European Economies (CEE), Baltic and Turkish economies and to analyze the implications of enlargement of the European Union (EU) to include them. Integration will depend on these countries' ability to make their economies responsive to market forces. Recognizing international trade as an effective means to instill competition in these countries, the paper studies trade policy in the CEE and Baltic countries and in Turkey and the trade agreements concluded between these countries and the EU. In particular, the Turkey-EU Customs Union Agreement (CUA) and Europe Agreements (EA) are studied and the potential for trade between EU, CEE and Baltic countries and Turkey is considered. In a discussion of these countries' chances for EU membership, we emphasize that the EU has to evaluate the budgetary outlays of membership relative to potential gains which would come in terms of increased trade and political stability. Arabic Abstract: