Endeavors of the Central and East European Countries to join the European Union: The Case of Hungary

Endeavors of the Central and East European Countries to join the European Union: The Case of Hungary

This paper attempts to provide a brief introduction to Hungary's efforts to join the European Union, making complete her return to the community of the democratic a free market-oriented European countries. The paper tries to answer the question why Hungary is interested in the accession and - on the other hand - what are the reasons, why the present EU members can be interested to admit Hungary and the other candidates. Ten years ago Hungary signed the European Agreement, becoming an associated "member" of the Union, enjoying already - and providing - special treatment in various fields to and from the Union: tariff reductions, quotas in trade, the partnership has made already a limited access to certain EU funds and supports. The paper gives also an overview on the present accession negotiations, pointing out their main principles, and also some of the sensitive issues, which has to be discussed and agreed as well, before Hungary gains the full-fledge membership.