Duginets A. Barriers faced upon entry of new members to the EU today

Abstract

The study has determined that at the beginning of the third millennium, the world has become a global economic system with a functioning globally economic and industrial mechanism, the components which are separate national economies and regional associations. The main additions to the EU  and consequences of this process have been studied. If the Union sets course for further expansion, new stimuli will be necessary for the population of the EU to be interested in future candidate countries. That is due to a number of reasons: firstly, new members need substantial economic aid, while existing ones are unwilling to provide it. Secondly, the European Parliament, being an supranational structure, may not cope with managing the system, should it get more complicated. Expansion of the EU is a rather complex process and has both positive and negative consequences for both  the EU and the rest of the world.

The analysis has determined that the main barrier on the way to European integration for Ukraine is due to political events and the lethargy of reforms. The course of European integration requires really implementing in practice the standards of a democratic state and socially oriented economy. Unfortunately, only small steps towards achieving the necessary level of development are being made in Ukraine. It has been concluded that further research should be directed at creating an effective mechanism for public discussion aimed at better informing citizens about the benefits of EU expansion. It is necessary also for the candidate countries', including our own, better understanding of their perspectives and possible problems after joining the European Union