IntroductionIn my research project I will talk about the history of the Lithuanian economy and how it has changed since the country became independent and took its place as a member of the European Union. In my work you will be able to see different points of view of being an EU citizen and the problems that countries are facing in obtaining this membership. Lithuania's accession to the European Union would be impossible without public consensus and support. This support was made more explicit during the referendum on membership of the European Union on 10-11 May 2003, when 91.07% of participants (turnout was 63.37%) approved the Lithuania's accession to the EU. (Euro 2007)The Lithuanian economy achieved high growth rates in the last decade when it joined the European Union together with other Baltic states. The government opted for a flat tax; unemployment rates were quite low until the start of a recent recession. Lithuania has since begun the transition from the communist planned economy of the Soviet Union; it gained independence in 1990. Although Lithuania suffered a lot from the USSR, it still maintained good relations and nowadays Russia is one of the main traders with Lithuania. However, in 1999, it faced its own economic and financial crisis, partly due to the Russian financial crisis of 1998. Since then, Lithuania has changed its view towards the European Union; it became a member of the EU on May 1, 2004. (Wikipedia, 2009)According to a survey of market participants conducted in January and February 2004, the Lithuanian economy has grown rapidly. The financial situation of Lithuanian businesses improved and borrowing costs decreased in 2003. At that time the GDP in Lithuania exceeded 10%. Economic growth... middle of the paper... that's accurate. While I was doing some research for this project, I discovered that the government conducted this type of survey in Lithuania, to find out what the general public opinion was before Lithuania became a member of the EU. In 2003 over 91% participated in the survey and almost 64% agreed with Lithuania's accession to the EU. The same investigation was repeated a few years later. What didn't surprise me is that people's opinion changed after joining the EU. In the survey conducted in 2008 over 75% of Lithuanians agreed that Lithuania has benefited from EU membership. In my research plan I would like to do this kind of questionnaire where I could see how people agree and disagree with EU membership. I would like to ask them about their perception of how membership has affected their country. And also what changes they would like to see especially in the sectors they consider problematic.