Enlargement
Do you think the Enlargement of the European Union will be a success?
As we approached May 1st 2004, E-day, when 10 new Member States joined the existing EU-15, we asked our community: Do you think the Enlargement of the European Union will be a success?
So what is your view on this?
15 Comments
Leave a commentLeave a comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Loading ...
‘Its a historic task, but it will be a success.’
Enlarging the EU has the historical task of continuing the process of integrating the continent by peaceful means, by uniting new members in a zone of stability and prosperity. There are many advantages of enlargement – e.g. the enlargement of the peace zone will contribute to enhancement of the security of the member-countries, the integration of all peoples and the stimulation of economic growth etc. With this in mind I think enlargement of the EU will be a success.
‘In my opinion it will eventually be a major success.’
Although it will not be obvious at once, not maybe even for a decade, I am sure that history will prove success of European spirit over bureaucracy and individual interests. I believe that we as Europeans will benefit from the opportunity of Enlargement. Why? Because the whole process of European integration since it began 50 years ago has showed that Europe can achieve ambitious goals.
‘I believe that the Enlargement of the European Union is a very sensitive issue in Germany.’
Since we are one of the biggest net contributors to the European Union, people get very suspicious because we already have to pay for the development of Eastern Germany. However, I personally support the enlargement to the East very much, because I think we will benefit from Eastern culture a lot. I think the major problem is that most people in Germany are not acquainted with the Eastern European culture and prejudice is therefore still existent to some extent. Therefore, educational exchanges and sharing of culture and experiences should be further promoted within the European Union.
‘Enlargement raises a problem of representation.’
First, the Eastern countries still want to enjoy their new sovereignty and often consider Europe as a mere economic choice. Second, the admission of Malta as a member state increases the differences of size between member states. And last, Turkey, if admitted, would be the first state in terms of population and could have a majority with Germany in the European Parliament. As the number of members of the Commission can’t increase every time, we should create a new institution of national Parliaments which would guarantee that national particularities would be taken into account.
‘Since the skeleton of the European Union has already been established by the member countries, I do not expect a lot of difficulties with the enlargement of the E.U.’
However, during this transition process – the period after the entrance of newcomers – necessary precautions should be taken in order to prevent the newcomers and old members against possible economical and socio-cultural damage. My understanding of the name of the “European Union” organization, is that it is supposed to be open to all European Countries and I hope that Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey will also join soon.
‘Enlargement of the European Union will be successful if the people of the European Union and acceding states are open to enlarge.’
I fear that the whole hassle about Enlargement was mostly perceived as a political issue, however on the eve of D-day, it becomes evident that for some, the new EU-roommates might be a pain in the neck. As the politicians gather in Brussels, they will have to find out how to get along with each other. But for Enlargement to succeed, and I wish and believe that it will, people will have to make an “enlargement” shift in their minds. It will take time, however it is very crucial for all of us.
‘The bigger the EU is, the more power it gains.’
As more countries enter the EU family, more and more people are represented by the Union, more countries are involved in decision making, and thus the decisions are of a more global interest.
In addition, the enlargement contributes to the strengthening of this European feeling. The EU family becomes bigger, thus the European roots widen, creating more bonds for its members. So, how can the Enlargement be anything else but a success?
‘Whether the enlargement of the EU will be a success or not, will not be known before months, even years after 1st May 2004.’
Even though a success would be preferable, it does not change the fact that this enlargement has to be carried out – it is just necessary. However, I have huge doubts as to the measures the EU took in order to prepare this enlargement. It seems to me that the EU is far from being ready to welcome 10 new member states. By this I do not mean that those 10 should not become EU-member states next year. Not at all, I think it is the EU’s duty to spread its potential wealth through the whole geographical area called Europe. It is clear that the upcoming enlargement is a huge operation, unique in its kind, and therefore that it is pretty hard to predict its consequences.
‘This round of enlargement is very ambitious and will change lots of things in the Union.’
I believe it will take a couple of years before all the member states ‘find their own place’ in the new Union. Now the most crucial thing is, to simplify the decision-making process, to make EU-citizens feel that they also have a say, to bring the Union closer to the people. But obviously, as a pro-European, I think the enlargement process will bring more prosperity to all of us.
‘The main challenge of enlargement will be integrating the union’s values and objectives completely into society/governments of the countries.’
Article 3 of the new constitution sets out the EU’s objectives…. ‘peace, equality, non-discrimination, sustainable development, economic union’ etc. I think that the main challenge of enlargement will be integrating the union’s values and objectives completely into society/governments of the countries. An objective such as combating social exclusion is easy to agree on, but ones such as ‘balanced economic growth’ are much harder to achieve. Also, with regard to CFSP, many enlargement countries will be expected to scale down their relationship with the US in favour of enhanced military cooperation within the EU. However, enlargement will bring peace and prosperity (though it may take a while) to a previously fragmented Europe…and this will be a good enough reason to call enlargement a success.
‘We must have faith!’
As we cannot say much about the development of enlargement, the most important aspect is to have faith in the enlargement of the European Union. We should not lose confidence in the EU and underestimate what it can achieve. If we believe in its strength, the EU and its enlargement will accomplish good things from which every citizen in Europe will be able to reap the benefits.
‘It is not the question of the enlargement procedure itself.’
Enlargement can only be a ‘success’ if the European Union -as a whole- is able to make next century a success. It does not depend on the newcomers.
‘I think it will take a long time to make things work properly after enlargement.’
Now each country that joins has its own troubles and mess that have to be put in order while at the same time making the whole common system work. Basically I think that it can turn into a success, just that it will not be done in a few days but will take few years.
‘I agree with Enlargement but recognize that we will face many challenges, particularly in Portugal.’
I used to ask myself if 10 countries was an exaggeration, but I now believe that Europe will be reunited and that this means a new era of our History. Whether enlargement will be a success depends on what the countries are disposed to build together. If our countries do not make an effort for a real consensus it will be difficult to manage this new Europe. I was a member of the European Youth Convention and shared a lot of ideas with 209 other young. We need to foster a spirit of personal and professional responsibility in each and every citizen and encourage the will to take positive action in society. The Convention did a good job but cannot be an end in itself. The challenge of widening the debate on European matters to all national and supranational entities should be continuously, to the civil society and the young people in particular.
‘Mackinder was right!’
At the beginning of last century, Halford Mackinder Mackinder, Dean of the London School of Economics 1903-1908, formulated a European geopolitical model. It stipulated that our continent was divided by an invisible line ranging from the Scandinavian Peninsula all the way down to the Balkans and that a party that would gain sovereignty over one of the halves would be able to dominate the whole continent.
The geopolitical analysis proved itself, as the line drawn by Mackinder was tangential to the Iron Curtin with eerie accuracy. Today, the leaders of the EU and the many European nation-states have a unique opportunity to remove the invisible cleavage once and for all from European affairs. There is an incredible lot at stake as we are pursuing the first peaceful attempt in history to unite the countries of Europe. We are not only talking about making use of the inherent dynamics of the latter, but also about creating a stable structure for the whole continent in which armed conflicts become virtually impossible. This is why the enlargement simply has to be a success and, I believe, it is also why this enterprise will result in success.