EU-enlargement and instability in the agricultural markets of Middle and East Europe

Transformation processes are characterized by instabilities, which are specially influenced by the political framework. The focus of the project is on the agricultural sector of the middle and east European countries. The sector, in comparison to that of the EU-15, plays a more important economic role for these countries. The question arises how EU-enlargement influences the instability in the agricultural markets of the new EU member countries and the new neighbour countries and also instability of agricultural income and food prices. In order to answer this question the effects on instability caused by the enlargement will be analyzed using economic simulation models. The analysis concentrates not only on the new EU members, but also on the new neighbour countries at the outer borders of the enlarged union. These case studies shall improve the theoretical background for political decision making and shall support the ongoing European integration process.