The Germans I know when asked to compared Germany now to Germany from 70s or 80s always say that it used to be MUCH better. The same goes with my friends in the USA.
Europe is no longer divided. I can travel around. Pay in a single currency. War is a distant memory. Infrastructure is much improved. Even the environment is better now. Rivers are cleaner. Air is cleaner. The political conflicts are less. There are huge market opportunities for our companies. Right next to us it takes decades of growth to improve East Europe's living standards and economies.
Old people always say that; I wouldn't read too much in to it. Trivial but revealing example: ask people how they think the murder rate is compared to 15 years ago, and compare it to the statistics.
Europe is no longer divided. I can travel around. Pay in a single currency. War is a distant memory. Infrastructure is much improved. Even the environment is better now. Rivers are cleaner. Air is cleaner. The political conflicts are less. There are huge market opportunities for our companies. Right next to us it takes decades of growth to improve East Europe's living standards and economies.