EU doesn't expand East

Most people forget how close was the Eastern expansion of EU. They were many voices against it, and at times it seemed that EU will decide against it.
So what if instead of expanding in 2004, the EU leaders under the leadership of France and Germany decide in 2000 to postpone expansion of EU for another 15 years ?
Countries that joined EU on 2004
584px-EU_Enlargement_2004.png
 

HJ Tulp

Donor
Germany was one of the biggest proponents of Eastward Expansion. Especially in the case of Poland. I think there is a much bigger chance of one of the smaller EU countries to veto the expansion. Maybe Portugal or Sweden?

Anyway, the result would have been slower economic growth in the West en serous stunted growth in the East.
 
Since it would be safe to say most countries trade with their neighbours, all of the EU members on the border are goiing to want EU expansion. So really, the more you expand the more pro-expansionists your going to get until you hit border disputes and conflicts of interest - read Crotia.

And since at the time the EU's largest member was a border, it was a forgone conclusion it was gonna happen.

But I'll bite, without the markets and cheap labour the EU's economy doesn't grow as it did OTL, although government spending in the pre expansion EU states is lower since they don't pay out for development. They'll be another push for expansion shortly after though, and the US might support it to expand NATO interests into Eastern Europe with the nice shiny carrot.:D
 
Top