20 years together: EU celebrates 2004 enlargement

This week, the European Union marks the 20^th anniversary of the 2004 enlargement. On 1 May 2004, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia joined the EU. In her speech before Parliament last week, President von der Leyen described this important moment in the EU's integration process as “the birth of a new era”. In the 20 years since, nearly 450 million Europeans have enjoyed freedom of movement across a larger Union. Citizens have stronger rights and freedoms. The economies of the then-new Member States have boomed, their agricultural production has tripled, and their unemployment rates have been cut by half. The countries that were already members at the time of the 2004 enlargement have also experienced growth and prosperity. This enlargement has provided more EU citizens and businesses with opportunities to study and work abroad, invest and export in a wider Union. The 2004 enlargement has also strengthened Europe's voice on the global stage.

To learn more about the 2004 enlargement, as well as the Commission's activities in celebration of the 20^th anniversary, additional information can be found on our dedicated website, as well as in our new brochure.

(For more information: Eric Mamer – Tel.: +32 2 299 40 73)