10 years of an enlarged EU has brought obvious and lasting prosperity to both new and old member states – one decade on, the benefits of such EU membership should be celebrated.

1st May 2004 was the date when almost 75 million people, spread across 10 countries, became EU citizens. This historic enlargement importantly marked the reunification of two Europes that had been divided for half a century by the Iron Curtain.

Benefits for member states post enlargement are obvious. Economically, post 2004 EU has seen an increase in living standards in the new member states, as well as new export and investment opportunities for older members. In expanding the Union – democracy, stability and security on our continent was further secured, as well as a larger voice on the global stage given.

Jo Leinen MEP, President of the European Movement International stated that ‘the success of the European project is evident. We see from calls in the EU neighborhood that the “European idea” and the quality of life in the EU is attractive to many states and people around us’. Mr Leinen continued ’in the build up to the European Elections 2014, which are now just weeks away, EU citizens would do well to remember the social, economic and cultural benefits EU integration and enlargement has brought us, when casting their ballots’.