EN
The aim of the paper is to examine the connection between the intensity of integration processes and the real convergence process in the group of 28 member states of the European Union, with special regard to individual countries' impact on it. A study of β-convergence process in "new" UE member states' pre-accession period (1993-2004) and the period after enlargement of the EU (2004-2014) was conducted. To investigate the individual contribution of the related countries to the "catching-up" process in the EU, the concept of marginal vertical β-convergence was used. In the light of the conducted empirical studies, there is a positive connection between the level of member states' engagement in the economic and institutional integration and convergence rate in the European Union. The stronger interconnections between member states are, the higher speed of the β-convergence process is. The respective member states' impact on β-convergence process is diversified. The degree of that diversity is decreasing while institutional and economic links between "old" and "new" member states of the EU are deepening.(original abstract)