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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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