TF6 Final Report - European Ideas Network
TF6 Final Report - European Ideas Network
TF6 Final Report - European Ideas Network
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Absorption Capacity for New Candidates<br />
The three criteria for the accession of new members, which have been<br />
determined at the Copenhagen Council on June 21 st 1993, have over time been<br />
defined in every detail. Concerning the criteria of absorption capacity, however, there<br />
are no more than three phrases. The <strong>European</strong> Union should be able to absorb new<br />
members, while at the same time “maintain the dynamic of the <strong>European</strong> integration.”<br />
Furthermore, “the enlargement [should] strengthen the process of continuing<br />
integration” and “every effort should be made to maintain the cohesion and<br />
effectiveness of the Union.”<br />
In a resolution adopted in March 2006, the <strong>European</strong> Parliament called on the<br />
Commission to submit a report by 31 December 2006 setting out the principles, which<br />
underpin the concept of the EU’s absorption capacity. According to the MEPs,<br />
“defining the nature of the <strong>European</strong> Union, and including its geographical borders, is<br />
fundamental to understanding the concept of absorption capacity.” The text approved<br />
by the Parliament also said that “the capacity for absorption of the Union… remains<br />
one of the conditions for the accession of new countries.” It seems then that the term<br />
“absorption capacity” must be clearly defined.<br />
There can neither be a regressive development of the EU (for example in the<br />
direction of an upgraded free-trade-area), nor should the present state of integration be<br />
simply held up. Rather, the cohesion, effectiveness and capability to act must be<br />
improved and the integration process must be further deepened. If the concept of<br />
absorption capacity is supposed to be more than an empty phrase, it must now be<br />
specified in detail, especially regarding any future enlargements beyond Bulgaria,<br />
Rumania and Croatia.<br />
It will thus be necessary to fully apply the accession criteria, including the<br />
criterion of the Union’s absorption capacity (see Annex), to all new candidate<br />
countries. It has to be obvious for everyone that no political or other considerations<br />
can overrule these criteria and their full implementation is an imperative for every<br />
new candidate. We must put emphasis on the clarity of the content of the term “the<br />
membership's political conditions”.<br />
When the accession of a <strong>European</strong> country is on the agenda, the potential<br />
consequences of financial and other costs of membership have to be carefully<br />
evaluated. All EU policies have to be analysed from the point of view of what the<br />
implications of the accession of a certain <strong>European</strong> state would be for that specific<br />
policy. The implications on the institutional architecture, above all the effective<br />
functioning of the Union’s ability to decide and act efficiently, should be accessed.<br />
The preservation of this ability would have to be assured. Unless this lengthy and<br />
difficult work is done, no justifiable decisions on any further accession can be taken.<br />
Specific criteria adopted to define the Union’s absorption capacity should be<br />
based on the following parameters:<br />
• The impact on the nature of the <strong>European</strong> project – how would it be effected,<br />
can it be preserved and the momentum of integration maintained? Priority to<br />
be given to the consolidation of the existing Union.<br />
• The effect on identity-building, i.e. the impact on cultural cohesion and the<br />
preservation and strengthening of the “We” feeling.<br />
• The candidate member’s political and social compatibility with the values and<br />
structures of existing Member States and the Union as such.<br />
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