The heralding of the enlarged EU was a defining moment in European history primarily because it was a declaration of new freedom and hope. For this reason it was celebrated with the passionate zeal of a promised better future quality of life also by the rest of western Europe.

This is not the place to enter into an understanding of the precise nature of the structure and the positive outcomes that closer EU regional integration might achieve particularly in terms of its relevance to other regional groupings such as Asean.

But perhaps some attempt might be made to identify areas where EU integration is creating a pivotal political and social environment to enhance and stimulate professional capacity and capability in high technology industries that lie at the heart of futuristic new inventions, innovations, and creativity.