This volume focuses on Central and Southeast Europe and explores the dynamic and complex area of distributive trade on markets which have recently undergone a huge transformation. Papers in the volume employ both quantitative and qualitative research methods, and focus on retailing, international trade, relationships between retailers and supplier.

The accession of eight Central and Eastern European transition countries and two Mediterranean countries to the European Union in May 2004 was the most significant enlargement in scope and diversity in its history, bringing over 75 million new citizens into the EU. This publication contains papers prepared for a UNECE meeting held in May 2004 and organised under the auspices of the Committee on Trade. The papers address some of the main problems coming from the new trading environment and offer insight into the policy options and business strategies that can help sustain competitiveness in a changing Europe.

The year 2008 will be a decisive one for the process of regional cooperation in South East Europe (SEE). First, the transition from the Stability Pact to the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) will become effective with the establishment of the RCC and its Secretariat in Sarajevo, indicating a major evolution towards more regional ownership. Secondly, the renewed and reframed Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), or CEFTA 2006, will officially enter into force for all parties. Third, the Slovenian European Union presidency will endeavor to reaffirm the 2003 EU Thessaloniki Agenda, and work towards the completion of the network of Stabilization and Association Agreements and the enhancement of regional cooperation in several areas. This book addresses the challenges and prospects of regional cooperation in SEE by considering the increased diversity in the region, the new divisions and contradictions induced by the latest round of EU enlargement, the coexistence of numerous cooperation programs, and the still unresolved hard security issues. The book also discusses why SEE countries should embrace the process of wider regional cooperation that goes beyond too-narrowly conceived regional frameworks. A pan-European approach links SEE with countries in the Black Sea region, the Caucasus, Central Europe, and the Mediterranean basin. Upgraded and broadened regional cooperation in SEE would not interfere with, but rather complement and reinforce, EU integration and the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP), requiring both innovative thinking and the careful recalibration of previous regional initiatives.

Offers a collection of contributions, combining authoritative views of central bank officials and policymakers, topical empirical evidence from academia and refreshing practical insights from companies doing business in the area. This book will be useful to economists as well as those generally interested in the future of the EU.

Durchsuchbare elektronische Faksimileausgabe als PDF. Digitalisiert im Rahmen des DFG-Projektes Digi20 in Kooperation mit der BSB München. OCR-Bearbeitung durch den Verlag Otto Sagner.

The countries of the Southeast Europe region have the common objective of joining the European Union (EU). To achieve this goal, these countries have pursued closer integration with the EU and with each other, including signing the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). CEFTA aims to fully liberalize trade in the region and work toward greater cooperation in a number of trade-related areas, such as investment, services, public procurement, and intellectual property rights. This paper aims to help policy makers in Southeast Europe assess the impact of the recently introduced trade policy measures, and proposes actions that could complement these measures and help achieve greater regional trade integration. The paper considers intra-regional trade flows and the remaining nontariff barriers to trade, the benefits of allowing free movement of skilled labor in the region, and how adopting the EU's Common External Tariff could prevent trade diversion.