Who’s afraid of the EU’s Largest Enlargement?
The report, published today by ECAS is first to present a comprehensive picture of the impact of Bulgaria and Romania joining the European Union on free movement of people – one year on. The 50 page document by Julianna Traser based on 2007 data examines the EU’s fifth enlargement from the perspective of all 27 member states. The report demonstrates, like the previous ones by ECAS, that even with enlargement, free movement within the Union remains at a low level. It concerns less than 2% of the population but is unevenly spread. Tony Venables, ECAS Director, said on 15 January 2008 «this report ought finally to put to rest the myth of the Polish plumber. There is no need to fear the EU’s latest enlargement, any more than the previous one. Most emigration from Bulgaria and Romania took place well before accession and continued to involve traditional countries of destination in particular Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal. Restrictions based on exaggerated predictions of an influx of job
