Twenty years ago, on November 9 1989, the fall of the Berlin Wall marked the decisive step towards German reunification "“ and eventually Europe's reintegration. Back then, hopes were high for rapid economic integration of the former communist east and the capitalist west.
Double-digit growth rates seemed to herald a dynamic process. Soon enough, though, soberness set in "“ and it became apparent real integration would be arduous. Industrial production in the former East Germany "“ which fell by about two-thirds immediately after unification "“ has only recently exceeded its level in 1989.
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