摘要:This paper is aimed to estimate to which extent the change of instruments influenced the size and structure of intra-European trade. There is a question of trade relations between European Union and third countries. The analyses of trade creation and deviation suggest that intra-European trade can develop at the expense of third countries. One such evaluation, if verified, can have negative effects for third countries, and for European Union as well. After the answer is given to this question, the author examines the structure of intra-European exchange and division of labour among member countries which were submitted to integration process, as well as the consequences of future association of countries of Central and East Europe into EU.