Has monetary union helped structural reform in Europe? The 2007 Economic Survey of the Euro area attempts an answer. On the one hand, well-functioning markets and stronger supply incentives would offer scope to better exploit the benefits of the euro, by taking advantage of more price transparency and lower international transaction costs.

A new global courtship is blossoming, and it is bringing China and Latin America closer together. Whether it ends in happiness or in tears depends mostly on Latin America.

Destination Europe is a slightly misleading title since its subject, the political development of Europe from 1945 to 2003, is a journey with a point of origin when Europe, which a generation earlier dominated the world, lay in ruins with no destination.

This historic occasion opens up exciting new perspectives for the world, says OECD Secretary-General Donald Johnston. Four of these countries - the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and the Slovak Republic - are already members of the OECD.

The formal accession to the European Union of 10 new member states on 1 May 2004 is a defining moment in the history of Europe. The Irish Presidency was honoured to welcome the accession states as full members of the Union and to celebrate together this great event with a “Day of Welcomes”. Enlargement on this scale, from 15 to 25 members, is unprecedented in the Union’s history.

The adhesion of 10 new members to the EU is good news for business. After all, with 25 instead of 15 countries, it ushers in an even bigger market for goods and services, capital and labour to move about in. Well, perhaps not quite yet.