EU Enlargement Policy PDF

EUs Enlargement Policy Sui generis (unique) policy area for the EU. → Also used as foreign policy tool. - The policy making in the EU is distinct from others (like the USA) due to its transformative nature for both the EU and the MS. - Each round of new accessions transform the EU: - New priority po...

EUs Enlargement Policy Sui generis (unique) policy area for the EU. → Also used as foreign policy tool. - The policy making in the EU is distinct from others (like the USA) due to its transformative nature for both the EU and the MS. - Each round of new accessions transform the EU: - New priority policy areas - New geographies of interest. - Acceding states are themselves also transformed. - Especially important after the Cold War with the accession of the neutrals. - Accession of Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs) - There’s an ongoing accession process of the Western Balkans. Historical Background Northern Enlargement (1973): UK, Ireland, and Denmark. - Brought a nuclear power (UK) and UNSC membership. - Expanded EU trade relations via Commonwealth ties. - Having new trade relationships with former colonies. - Ireland was the first neutral country to join. → Norway opted out following a referendum. Mediterranean Enlargement (1980s): Greece (1981), Spain and Portugal (1986). - Supported transitions from dictatorial regimes to democracy. - Strengthened the EU’s Mediterranean focus. - The Latin American ties are put into perspective (because of the Spanish connection with South America) - Introduced economic disparities, requiring financial support. (Weaker southern MS vs richer Northern states) - Spain’s recognition of Israel and proving importance of Spain in brokering peace in the Middle East EFTA Enlargement (1995): Sweden, Finland, and Austria joined. - All were neutral countries, avoiding military alliances. → EU shouldn’t become NATO - Enhanced focus on human rights and environmental issues. → scandinavian impact → uploading policies to the EU - Strengthened EU’s interest in the Baltics and North Sea. - Norway again opted out after a referendum but joined the EEA. → single market Accession of Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs) Post-Cold War re-definition of Europe: - Post-communist countries. Governments and economies crumble. - Reconciliation of Germany with Eastern Europe after WWII. - Return of ‘Mitteleuropa’, Haclav Havel → Central Europe's shared culture & history. Range of EU policies to stabilise Eastern Europe - Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe: French EU initiative. Wanted “Good neighbourly” relations to avoid border and minorities issues based conflicts - PHARE program: Financial aid for transforming communist economies. - European (association) agreements: recognising the desire of CEECs to become EU NATO members, against return of Russian influence. Copenhagen Criteria (1993) Criteria that applicant states have to meet in order to join the EU. These were agreed upon at the Copenhagen European Council meeting in 1993. - Political: Democracy, rule of law, human rights, and minority rights. - Economic: Functioning market economy capable of handling competition. - Legal and administrative: Adoption of the EU acquis. - Fourth criterion: EU’s capacity to integrate new members. The Accession Process 1. Application and Candidacy: - Application submitted to the Council. - Council decides on eligibility; Commission gives an opinion (avis). - The European Council decides to announce the country as a candidate country. 2. Structured Pre-Accession Process: - Association agreements establish cooperation frameworks. - Screening of candidate countries’ laws by the Commission - An accession partnership document → Political aspect & legal approximation. - National Programme (and calendar) for the Adoption of the Acquis - Pre-accession financial aid supports necessary reforms. - Regular progress reports from the Commission. 3. Negotiations: - Acquis divided into 35 chapters, each provisionally closed upon agreement. - Intergovernmental conference about time and money. - MS negotiations about negotiating framework. → Bargaining aspect of joining. - All Copenhagen criteria should be fulfilled. → Accession treaty signed & ratified by all member states and the candidate country. Transformative power of the EU - Conditionality: countries must meet specific conditions to benefit from EU membership. - Incentives for compliance: the EU provides benefits for countries that comply with its standards, creating a strong motivation for reform - Cost of non-compliance: Noncompliance can result in costs, creating pressure - Credibility of the accession process: transformative powers of the EU rely on the credibility and the idea that compliance will be rewarded with real benefits. Main problems during accession CEEC Reconciliation after the Second World War - Benes decrees: Czechoslovak government laws to punish Nazi’s, expel ethnic Germans and Hungarians who were seen as complicit in the occupation and confiscate their properties. - Closure of Soviet style nuclear plants. - Status of Russians → Access to Kaliningrad from Russia. Regatta or Big Bang enlargement - Big Ban principle: states join in big groups: - 2004: Czech Rep, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia (three Baltic and former Soviet states), Slovenia (former Yugoslav Republic), Cyprus, Malta - Regatta principle: states join when they are qualified, rather than in groups: - 2007: Bulgaria, Romania - 2013: Croatia Result of the CEECs accession - Growing importance of security against Russia - Growing interest in Ukraine and an Eastern Partnership - European Neighbourhood Policy - Greater reliance on NATO for protection of the CEECs Is the EU too big to function effectively? → Decision making more complex with 27 member states (consensus) → different MS have different priorities (ex. eastern Europe’s focus on Russia and Southern Europe’s focus on migration) - Does the EU then need reform? → the proposed European constitution (rejected by France/Netherlands) → resulting in the Lisbon treaty to simplify decision making. - White paper on the future of Europe 2016: outlined five scenarios for the EU's evolution by 2025, focusing on challenges like globalization, migration, and technological change to stimulate debate on its strategic direction. - Conference on the Future of Europe 2020: was a participatory initiative inviting citizens, civil society, and institutions to discuss EU reforms, democracy, and policy priorities to shape its future trajectory. Current Enlargement Process Candidates: - Western Balkan countries (e.g., Serbia, Montenegro, Albania). → In negotiations. - Turkey → Negotiations actively frozen → not legally - Ukraine and Moldova → Candidates post-2022. - Kosovo → Potential candidate with statehood challenges. - Iceland → Declared candidate after application (after financial crisis), but withdrew.