“The evolution of the Greek narratives on the ‘big bang enlargement’ from 2004 until today: the views of the political actors and the media” – REWEU publication

Panagiotis Paschalidis, Research Fellow at ELIAMEP’s South-East Europe Programme, authored an analysis titled “The evolution of the Greek narratives on the ‘big bang enlargement’ from 2004 until today: the views of the political actors and the media” in the framework of the project (Re)uniting the East and West: Reflections on the 2004 EU enlargement (REWEU).

The project marks the 20th anniversary of the 2004 EU enlargement by examining its historical impact, benefits, and challenges through public events, research, exhibitions, and media outreach. Funded by the EU under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme, it focuses on eight selected countries—four older and four newer EU members—contributing to contemporary EU memory politics.

In his analysis, Panagiotis Paschalidis examines the 2004 EU enlargement as a transformative event that transcended political, social, economic, and cultural boundaries at both national and international levels. Based on interviews he conducted with key politicians involved in decision-making at the time, as well as journalists who extensively covered the topic, he highlights how such events give rise to multiple interpretations and narratives shaped by diverse perspectives and thematic correlations. Focusing on historical narratives, which intertwine objective facts with subjective understandings, he explores how Greece has perceived and interpreted the 2004 enlargement from its inception to the present day. His analysis underscores the evolving nature of these narratives and their role in shaping collective memory and public discourse.

You can read the analysis here.