"This essay should show that the discussions about the rule of law are not solely a problem of the new member or candidate states. The principles of the rule of law are also being tested in 'old' Europe. However, at this point, it is to be appreciated that the EU's enlargement policy has contributed substantially to the fact that the states of Eastern Europe and Central Europe were transformed into modern and functioning democracies and the situation concerning human rights and rule of law has improved significantly in these countries, a fact that is evident in the international asylum statistics where the new member states hardly appear anymore"