ABSTRACT
It is now taken as given that the European Union will be a much more diversified entity following its planned eastward enlargement. The applicant states from Eastern Europe are much poorer than the current West European member states. Their democracy and in some cases even their statehood is newly established and presumably more fragile. Their economic, legal and administrative structures are less developed. They also have their own distinct histories, societies and cultures. And although they all share the aspiration to join the Union, their visions, interests and priorities do not necessarily converge with one another nor with those of current EU members. In fact, in view of the numerous structural differences between the current and prospective EU member states, it is difficult to expect there to be a major and durable alignment of their respective political preferences and behaviour after enlargement.
