EU Enlargement Flashcards
Reason for enlargement
- a geopolitical means of stabilising the continent and also stronger EU against other geopolitical actors
- economic cooperation leads to interdependency leads to avoiding conflict
1st enlargement
1973
Ireland, GB, Denmark (including Greenland)
now 9 MS
3rd enarlgement
1986
Spain & Portugal
now 12 MS
2nd enlargement
1981
Greece
now 10 MS
4th enlargement
1995
Austria, Finland, Sweden
now 15 MS
2004
5th and biggest ever enlargement
10 new countries, now 25 MS
Esthonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Malta, Cyprus
6th enlargement
2007
Romania and Bulgaria
now 27 MS
7th and so far last enlargement
2013
Croatia
now 28 MS
UK leaves the EU
Feb 2020
now 27 MS
Effect of Russia’s invasion in Ukraine to Enlargement
- Ukraine applied for EU membership within days (28/2/2022)
- directly affected 6 western balkan countries and their accession
- EU is very aware now of risk of instability in the Balkans
Copenhagen criteria
- shared democratic & political values (need to have stable institutions guaranteeing democracy)
- functioning & competitive market economy
- legislative allignment with acquis communautare (full body of EU law, including the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities)
- EU’s absorbtion capacity
European Political Community (EPC)
meetings of Heads of state or government of European Countries, officially not replacing Council of Europe, but way to work closer with European non-EU countries
- towards a gradual accession?
IPA
Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance
The European Union provides the countries with financial support through the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance. From 2014-2020, the EU dedicated EUR 11.7 billion for this purpose, with continued funding foreseen for 2021-2027. The EU and the national authorities decide on the areas where to invest the funds.
New Enlargement Methodology
2020
The revised enlargement methodology builds on four main principles
- Credibility
Candidate countries need to deliver on the reforms they promised, and EU needs to deliver when they do. - Stronger political steer
Engaging with the candidates at top level through regular summits and ministerial meetings. - A more dynamic process
Clustering chapters will allow for more thorough political discussions on thematic areas and to identify opportunities for early alignment and integration into EU policies.
The cluster on fundamentals (rule of law, economic criteria and public administration reform) will take a central role and sufficient progress will need to be achieved before other clusters can be opened.
- Predictability for both sides
Defining more clearly the conditions for candidate countries. Providing them with clear incentives if key reforms successfully implemented – closer integration of the country with the European Union.
Clear incentives & more decisive measures sanctioning any serious or prolonged stagnation or even backsliding: from slowing down negotiations, to adjusting funding and withdrawing benefits of closer integration.
How long does Accession usually take?
normally around 10 years
