The EU is set to expand significantly during in the first decade of the 21st century, with new members joining in a phased expansion of the European single market. This book examines the economic opportunities and challenges faced by five central European countries (the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, and Slovenia) during the run-up to EU accession, and later, monetary union. It focuses on the key macroeconomic and financial sector policy issues that will need to be addressed to ensure sustainable growth for these transition economies.