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Based on an empirical study of business associations, trade unions and value-based NGOs from new EU member states this contribution argues that interest groups from the new Central and East European member states could smoothly be integrated into the EU system of interest representation with the help of European umbrella organisations. European umbrella organisations offer immediate access to the EU level, provide a role model of engagement at the EU level and also increase information flows from the EU level to national interest groups and with that into national debates and national policy-making processes. Accordingly, theories of horizontal integration should not only look at the limited impact of interest groups on the implementation of the EU acquis communautaire, but also at the effects the smooth integration of new interest groups at the EU level has on the Europeanization of new and prospective member states.
