02378nam a2200325 a 4500 1/51370 080128s2007 be u pdd 1 a0eng d 978-92-79-04645-2 1016-8060 (print) 1725-3187 (online) KC-AI-07-292-EN-N 36701 GR-PeUP ΚΕΤ Αλφαβητική σειρά Price convergence in the enlarged internal market / Christian Dreger...[et.al.]. Brussels- Belgium: European Comission: Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs, 2007 104 σ.: πιν. 30 εκ. European Economy. Economic papers ; The studies' main aim is to investigate the effects of the EU-10 enlargement on price convergence within the Internal Market. It distinguishes between the opposite forces provided by: (1) the catching up effect of the EU-10, expected to lead to a rise in price levels; and (2) increased competitiveness pressure on prices expected to lower price levels due to lower mark ups of prices over marginal costs. The study is based on comparative price levels for the EU-25, covering the period 1999-2004. Distinct variables were identified as proxies for the catching-up and competition forces. The following analysis proceeded in two steps. First, it is examined whether price convergence has occurred and, second, what are its main drivers. The results confirm the presence of price convergence. This process is particularly visible in the case of basic headings, most likely because they are related to more homogeneous products. Moreover, both catching up and competition have been important factors for explaining price convergence. In addition, both effects seem to be more pronounced for the EU-10 than for the EU-15. Economic Papers Dreger, Christian. Khetagurov, M. Lommatzsch, Kirsten. Slacalek, Jirka. Wozniak, Przemyslaw. European Commission : Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs. Economic Papers November 2007, No 292. European Economy. Economic papers ; 292. INST UNIPILB KET 20090303 EEEP 292 EEEP 292 NOLOAN 23 1 http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/publications/publication_summary10183_en.htm