2004 was hailed as the triumph of democracy, reconciliation and the free market. Ten years on, we look at the successes and growing pains of the expansion from 15 to 25.

10th anniversary of Europe's big-bang enlargement

May 2004.  A moment marked across Europe

and a defining moment  in the evolution of a union,

which, since its inception after World War 2  has changed constantly.

This though, was largely the moment  the EU went east,

embracing former Soviet  and Soviet satellite countries

freed of communism  more than a decade before.

The main thing for us joining EU in 2004

was returning back to the European family.  - And it’s worked?

If you compare living standards,  you can clearly see a difference.

Ten years ago support for EU membership  was 67%, now it's 80%.

The rise may in part  be down to big neighbour Russia’s activities

in and around Ukraine,  and the sense of security

that membership of the EU,  not to mention NATO, brings.

We have quite a fresh expertise  on Russia and the Russians,

and this expertise is  at the disposal of our allies.

There’s been a swing  in favour of the EU too in Poland,

among the most sceptical  during pre-accession negotiations.

But that's largely evaporated with the rise  in trading opportunities and living standards

Enlargement also went South to the small  Mediterranean nations of Malta and Cyprus.

Ten years on, many previous EU doubters  are satisfied but they want more.

The issue of migration is an issue  on which we are fighting very hard.

There is an understanding and in fact  we've had a number of positive results.

But we still think  the EU is not doing enough.

Who knows where the EU will stand  after the next ten years?

For the moments the skies continue  to light up for an EU club membership

apparently worth the years of hard talk.