In todayÕs environment of largely globalizingnational economies, international economicintegration does not stop at the frontiers ofthe European Union. Many non-EU-basedenterprises are carrying on business in theEuropean Union through the operation ofbranches or subsidiaries established in EUMember States, and a large number of EUbasedenterprises maintain a diversifiedrange of investments outside the Union.Accordingly, in both inward and outwardinvestment relationships, ÔeconomicopennessÕ is key nowadays.