Actually, the high-level decisionmakers, they didn't.

What did they expect if people earn 300-500 Euros A MONTH and with EU prices ?

Low pay of low-level public servants is indeed a point -- but the most corrupt are always on the top, NOT the €300-500 people. (In fact, the corrupt top bureaucrats and ministerial secretaries are fleecing the €300-500 people!) And that's what the EU observers noticed.

Regarding EU prices, I think I understand what you mean, but we'll have to spell it out to others. One would naively think that joining the EU would simply bring down prices: with the elimination of tariffs on imported stuff. However, open market requirements meant that countries joining also had to reduce social price support subsidies and eliminate fixed prices, above all in the energy sector.

On the other hand, considering both the recent oil/gas price hikes, and the Eastern Block recapitulation of the West's Second Energy Crisis in the eighties, I think it would have taken MUCH MORE than staying out of the EU to avoid these price hikes.

_{*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.}