The Impact of EU Regional Support on Economic Convergence

The large income gaps among the European regions have been a key factor in determining not only the implementation and development of the EU regional policy but also a large amount of controversial debates related to its efficacy in mitigating poverty and inducing convergence. Based on the endogenous growth models predictions, the EU regional policy has witnessed a continuously increased importance both in political and budgetary terms. However, the persistence of inequalities and the progressive share of the EU budget allocated to the EU Regional Policy have generated some doubts among researchers with regard to its efficacy in reducing the economic disparities among the EU regions. In this context, the purpose of this paper is an obvious one: examining whether a process of convergence has taken place among the regions of the four EU Cohesion Countries and assessing the role of the EU financial support in promoting convergence.

Autorentext

Flavia E. Ursulescu, M.A. Economics of International Trade and European Integration, Staffordshire University UK, University of Antwerpen BE and Prague University of Economics.