The KBC Group has a significant presence in the major Central European countries. The European integration process is having a catalytic effect on the economies of these countries. Not only economic, but also political developments, in both candidate and existing EU member states, are in turn conspiring to set the pace for further integration. To fully comprehend this process, analysts from KBC Bank, KBC Asset Management, CSOB Czech Republic, CSOB Slovakia, Kredytbank Poland, K&H Hungary and NLB Slovenia joined forces at a conference in Prague during April this year. The conference gave a jump start to a detailed study, which has resulted in this report. The chances of a number of the newcomers taking the next step in the integration process, namely the adoption of the euro, are assessed. The influence and political tribulations of the upcoming EU constitutional referenda also receive sufficient attention. In a number of country reports (presented as 'working papers'), the political and economic situation of these EMU or EU candidates is analyzed and the timetable for E(M)U participation is assessed.
The two reports are available in English on czech site of www.patria.cz HERE. To download them in pdf you need to be a client of the exclusive paid Patria Plus service (in Czech only but coming soon in English). More info on Patria Plus download HERE.