Assistant Professor Nicoleta SIRGHI
Assistant Professor Ioana VADASAN
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West University of Timisoara, Romania
Faculty of Economics and Business Administration
Master Program: European Studies and International Relations
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Motivation of our paperRomania’s road to the EUThe advantages of being a member of the European UnionStructural fundsPersons’ freedom of movement
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Structure of the paperShort history of Romania’s relations with the EU
Structural fundsThe persons’ freedom of movement
Conclusions4
Short history of Romania’s relations with the EU
1974 - commercial relations with the EEC countries
1980 - official recognition of the EEC1991 – Trade and Cooperation agreement1995 - Demand1997 – Commission response1999, December – decision to start de
negotiations2000, February – start of the negotiations
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Short history of Romania’s relations with the EU
2004, December – temporary closing of the negotiations
2005, April the 25th – Signature of the Adhesion Treaty
2006, September – Announcement of the adhesion date
2007, January the 1st – Romania is the 27th EU member
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Advantages. Structural funds2007-2013: more than 30 billions of Euros
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Romania’s level of development
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Disadvantages Structural funds
The contribution to the EU budget1.1 billions Euros in 20071.4 billions Euros in 20081.5 billions Euros in 2009
Insufficient absorption of structural funds21% in 200760% in 2008????? in 2009
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Absorption degree in other EU countries, 2004-2006
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Advantages. The persons’ freedom of movement
The possibility of travelling (the Schengen Area)
The possibility of studying abroadThe possibility of working abroad (2 + 3
+ 2)2007-20082009-20112012-2013
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2+3+2No more restrictions: Estonia, Finland,
Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Sweden, Slovenia, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Spain, Denmark, Greece, Hungary and Portugal
Netherland (until July the 1st 2009), Belgium and the United Kingdom (until 2011), Ireland (until 2012), Germany, France, Austria, Italy, Luxembourg,
Malta (until 2013). The member states of European Economic
Area (Liechtenstein, Island and Norway) have also maintained the restrictions until 2013.
Switzerland (2016?)12
Disadvantages. The persons’ freedom of movement
External migration: reasonsThe price differences (wage differences, profit rates differences, interest rates differences)
Income differenceDifferences in the level of economic development
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Medium wage
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Disadvantages. The persons’ freedom of movement
External migration: consequencesAbout 2-2.5 millions Romanians work abroadLake of qualified labor force in Romania In the destination countries:
the wages have dropped by only 0.08% due to immigration
the unemployment has raised by only 0.04%.
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Labor force productivity, %
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100104.5
111.9
29.1
100104.4
111.4
31.1
100104.2
110.9
34.3
100104
110.7
36.2
100103.8
110.4
39.9
100103.7
110.2
42
100103.6109.7
44
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
UE 27
UE 25
UE 15
Romania
The crisis. ConsequencesStructural funds
Labor forceUnemployment increaseHome return
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CONCLUSIONEU membership could be an opportunity, but it depends on each member state to take advantage of it
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