The Entry of Transition Countries of Central Europe in the European Union: Some Social Protection Issues

Abstract

After a brief survey of evidence showing that social security reform in each country of the region now follows its own path, the author reviews some general issues of social protection with special reference to transition countries. He then deals with several questions that preoccupy Western observers in relation to EU enlargement: the emergence of a new model in addition to those already in place, the fear of social dumping, & the interrogation regarding the possibility of keeping economic & social progress in equilibrium. On the way to a successful enlargement, the respective protection levels should not create a problem in view of the relatively high standards maintained in this field in the past. The problem is rather on the EU side, which finds it difficult to define with some precision the positive content of the European social model & the common goals. In view of their historical experience, the CE countries should be invited from the start to participate in the formulation of new European social policies.