Enlargement

Question 1

Northern Enlargement

Answer 1

-1973
-UK, Denmark, Ireland
-Characteristics: asymmetrical position of applicant countries; integration of two Eurosceptic countries

Question 2

Mediterranean Enlargement

Answer 2

-1981, Greece
-1986, Spain, Portugal
-Characteristics: highly symbolic and political value- countries having only recently transitioned to democratic rule; posed an economic challenge (establishment of EU cohesion policy)

Question 3

EFTA Enlargement

Answer 3

-1995
- Sweden, Austria, Finland
-least controversial/ problematic: wealthy, democratic established countries.

Question 4

Eastern Enlargement

Answer 4

-2004, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Cyprus, Malta
-2007, Romania, Bulgaria
- most complex one: resulting from Soviet collapse; eagerness to “return to Europe”- increased symbolic importance of EU citizenship; security concerns
-creation of Copenhagen Criteria (1993) especially for this en-masse accession of CEE countries; political and institutional reforms

Question 5

Balkan Enlargement

Answer 5

-2013, Croatia
-further enlargement in the Balkan Region problematic ( politically and economically unstable)- also, EU going through a crisis moment

Question 6

Copenhagen Criteria (4)

Answer 6

-1993
-moral values: respect of rule of law; respect for human rights; democracy; protection of minorities
- functioning market economy
- adherence to EU’s membership obligations
-conditions for integration through adjustments in the administrative structure

Question 7

Enlargement process (5)

Answer 7

-art. 49, TEU: conditions and steps
- negotiation process:
(1)membership application submitted to the Council —> forwards it to the Commission
(2)Commission prepares an opinion (avis)
(3)council decides if negotiations can start (unanimity)
(4) adoption of a Negotiating Framework and opening of an IGC
(5) accession has to be approved by the EP and ratified by each MS/ candidate country

Question 8

Justifications for EU Enlargement (3)

Answer 8

• advantages of integration surpass the disadvantages; EU as problem-solving entity
  -sense of common identity (Europeaness); EU as value-based community
• sharing of fundamental rights and democratic procedures; EU as rights-based post-national union

Question 9

Theories of EU enlargement

Answer 9

-Neofunctionalism: (focus on supranational institutions) process formed by incremental steps (functional integration) in which EU institutions play a central role; focus is on material interests
-liberal intergovernmentalism (focus on current MSs): through the lens of national interests
- social constructivism: (focus on ms and applicant countries) shared commitment to EU values- based on normative interest