**2. Specific economic indicators for the Central and Eastern Europe states**

On 1 May 2004, a total of eight applicant countries positioned in Central and Eastern Europe became full members of the EU. These were the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. In 2007, from 1 January, it was the time for Romania and Bulgaria to become new EU members and in 2013 Croatia gained the right to full mem‐ bership. Thus, an objective was achieved aiming to eliminate the principles of division between European countries imposed by historical agreements between great powers. The EU enlarge‐ ment eastwards followed important objectives regarding political stability in the region, maintaining democracy and peace, but also on the economic plan aimed to extend the common market among members. Thus, the EU economy has become the strongest economy in the world based on the most developed intra-community common market. At the moment of accession, the new member states are bringing their own contribution to the EU in terms of surface area and population, as shown in statistical data values presented in Table 1 (according to European Union, 2015), which includes information on the Central and Eastern Europe countries, values for the total surface area, number of inhabitants and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) recorded in 2014 [16].


**Table 1.** Statistical data regarding the countries of Central and Eastern Europe [1]

agglomerations. To perform an interdisciplinary analysis of rural areas in the EU, an overview is needed of what represents today this interstate union. It must be taken into account both political and economic criteria as well as the social impact achieved with the development programs realized and intended for these specific areas. The current stage was reached after several extensions by adopting new union members at different times. Thus, in 1973, the expanding included the U.K., Ireland and Denmark, and in 1981 Greece and Spain, with Portugal in 1986. In 1995, three European countries decided to enter the EU, these being Austria, Finland and Sweden. In 2004, it was registered the largest EU enlargement with the accession of 10 new members: Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary which had at the date of accession a population of over 100 million inhabitants, according to European Union, 2015. The EU enlargement in 2004 increased the land area by approximately 23% and the number of inhabitants by about 20%. In 2007, from January 1, Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU, and in 2013 Croatia became the newest member state. By joining the EU, countries in Central and Eastern European continent opted for access in a community in which they have the opportunity of sustainable development for their economy. This development is possible through enhanced trade relations between union members, investments launch in key areas of the economy, creating new jobs and opportunity of labour movement within the EU to those countries that have opted to accept workers from Eastern countries. Significant funding were allocated from the EU budget for agriculture in order to enable farmers from Eastern countries to obtain better agricultural harvests on the cultivated areas and to improve the endowment with efficient equipment that could reduce working time, fuel consumption per surface unit and emitted pollutants into the environment. Farmers in the rural areas of Eastern European countries now have the opportunity to sell their products directly on the European market, thereby ensuring an improvement in their income levels and living standard. Therefore, joining the EU accounted for the countries of Central and Eastern Europe a unique opportunity, which ensured them the accelerated development of their economies and hence an increase of living standards for the population based on results in the economic branches. The political barriers between member states were eliminated, while assuring sustainable economic development that can ensure social benefits for the residents

Proceedings of the International Conference on Interdisciplinary Studies (ICIS 2016) - Interdisciplinarity and Creativity

**2. Specific economic indicators for the Central and Eastern Europe states**

On 1 May 2004, a total of eight applicant countries positioned in Central and Eastern Europe became full members of the EU. These were the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. In 2007, from 1 January, it was the time for Romania and Bulgaria to become new EU members and in 2013 Croatia gained the right to full mem‐ bership. Thus, an objective was achieved aiming to eliminate the principles of division between European countries imposed by historical agreements between great powers. The EU enlarge‐ ment eastwards followed important objectives regarding political stability in the region, maintaining democracy and peace, but also on the economic plan aimed to extend the common market among members. Thus, the EU economy has become the strongest economy in the

of these areas [13, 17].

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In Figure 1 plotted dots show the situation of EU countries in Central and Eastern Europe by area.

**Figure 1.** The EU countries of Central and Eastern Europe surface [1].

**Figure 2.** The population of the EU countries of Central and Eastern Europe [1].

**Figure 3.** Values of GDP in 2000–2010 for Central and Eastern Europe countries [1]. (a) GDP in 2000. (b) GDP in 2004. (c) GDP in 2007. (d) GDP in 2010.

In Figure 2 are presented information about the population number, while Figure 3 shows the comparative GDP results recorded for the Eastern European countries in 2000, 2004, 2007, 2010 and 2014. Progressive growth of the GDP value can be observed for the majority of Eastern European countries in the years following EU accession compared to 2000 and even 2004. GDP regarded as a macroeconomic indicator provides information on the economic situation of the new EU member countries. Total amounts of GDP are presented in Figure 4 on each economy in part, from where it can be seen that Poland has the first position being the country with the largest economy in the region, followed by the Czech Republic, Romania and Hungary for top positions.

**Figure 4.** The 2014 GDP of the EU countries of Central and Eastern Europe [1].

**Figure 2.** The population of the EU countries of Central and Eastern Europe [1].

(c) GDP in 2007. (d) GDP in 2010.

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(a) (b)

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(c) (d)

**Figure 3.** Values of GDP in 2000–2010 for Central and Eastern Europe countries [1]. (a) GDP in 2000. (b) GDP in 2004.

In Figure 2 are presented information about the population number, while Figure 3 shows the comparative GDP results recorded for the Eastern European countries in 2000, 2004, 2007, 2010 and 2014. Progressive growth of the GDP value can be observed for the majority of Eastern European countries in the years following EU accession compared to 2000 and even 2004. GDP The values of exports and imports were also analysed as a percentage of GDP for each Eastern European economies in the period of 2000–2009 (Figure 5 and 6) to observe possible differences in these characteristics between EU pre-accession and post-accession of the Eastern economies. On graphical representations can be observed the values for each year where most countries have registered exports values close to 40%, except Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Estonia who have approached or even exceeded the 80% threshold of GDP for exports.

**Figure 5.** Total values calculated for exports as a percentage of GDP (2000-2009) [1].

For the percentage values of imports achieved can be noticed as an average value of over 50% of GDP value over the analysed years, and some countries such as Slovakia, Estonia, Hungary,

**Figure 6.** Total values calculated for imports as a percentage of GDP (2000-2009) [1].

the Czech Republic and Bulgaria are close or even exceed the 80% of the GDP value. Also, using an important macroeconomic indicator, represented by gross national income (GNI), information can be obtained regarding the total income earned by residents of analysed countries and based on the obtained values a comparison can be accomplished regarding the purchasing power with direct implications for living standards in a particular country. Thus, GNI per inhabitant for the Eastern European countries was calculated, EU Members, for the period 2000–2009 and the results are shown in Figure 7. Visible differences between countries depending on the economy level of development can be observed, but the trend is upward for all 11 analysed countries since 2000, continuing with the EU accession years 2004 and 2007 and continuing until 2009.

**Figure 7.** Values calculated for GNI per inhabitant of Central and Eastern countries (2000–2009) [1].

Undoubtedly, the upward trend of GNI per each economy has been achieved as a result of the reforms carried out by each country as a result of the EU accession process, which has generated positive effects in their own economic branches.
