Paradoxically, the arrival of 10 new countries in the Economic Union, rather than promoting greater use of rail, is likely to increase road transport, with serious threats of congestion in the long term. Rail has long been dominant in the former Eastern Bloc countries, but since the fall of the communist regimes, it has been rapidly losing ground. Road transport is growing spectacularly. This growth will also be felt in the 15 Member States, resulting in flag transfers and modal shifts. Unless, that is, a decision is finally taken to implement a genuine European regulatory policy.