GREECE AND THE ENLARGEMENT OF THE EUROPEAN-UNION

SINCE THE SECOND World War, Greece has been transformed into a modern society, with similar economic and social structures to those of the o ther member states of the European Union (EU). Productive structures h ave undergone substantial reform, despite the occasionally occurring i ntroverted attitudes and defensive reactions vis-a-vis major internati onal challenges. In recent years, the country has demonstrated readine ss to establish a dynamic presence in the international scene. Greece' s increased participation in world economic matters and its progress i n international relations have been promising signs for advancing soci o-economic well-being and for establishing an effective and viable wel fare system. The cold war geopolitics of the last half century kept Gr eece isolated from traditionally significant trade partners, such as t he Balkan states. Furthermore, the Black Sea region and the Central an d Eastern European Countries (CEEC) stayed hermetically closed to Gree k economic interests. Today, these countries are pursuing strong econo mic relations with the EU, expecting to raise their share in internati onal commodity, capital and technology flows, thus accelerating the de velopment process, or even to accede the EU. Meanwhile, Greece is prom oting and strengthening relations with the CEEC, the Balkan states, an d the Black Sea region at all levels of possible co-operation, reasser ting - once again - traditional complementarities.