Czech PM: EU able to face economic crisis better after enlargement

The Czech prime minister, Mirek Topolánek, says the European Union is able to face the economic crisis more effectively because of the bloc’s enlargement in 2004. Speaking in Prague on Monday at a conference on the EU’s biggest ever enlargement, Mr Topolánek said a bigger EU is stronger and can better deal with economic problems.

Ten post-communist countries, including the Czech Republic, acceded to the bloc in 2004. The Czech prime minister described the enlargement as a “tiger’s leap” which benefited both old and new member states. Mr Topolánek also criticized the fact that only two of the EU’s four freedoms are being fulfilled; unlike free movement of goods and capital, free movement of services and labour is still restricted. These limitations hinder the bloc’s economic growth as well as further integration, said the Czech prime minister.