TF6 Final Report - European Ideas Network

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for full membership (there should be no rebates or discounts on political criteria), can lead to Turkey’s entrance into the Union. Remaining European States The Constitutional Treaty, which has not yet been ratified, declares the basic perspective that the “Union is open to all European states respecting its values and willing to collectively further these values” (Art I-1-2). However, it will have to be estimated in every single case whether or not and to what extend the EU is capable to absorb the accession of another state at a specific date, judged on the basis of its inner development. Enlargement must not be conceived as the only political instrument to promote democratic reform and create stability in the Union’s neighbourhood. At any cost, it must be avoided that the Union by enlarging itself, it is weakened and becomes itself an object of destabilization. Therefore, incremental forms of cooperation within specific timeframe may be developed for Balkan countries, which encourage them to converge toward EU norms and ideals. Without discounting at all, strict inclusion criteria or compromising the EU’s absorption capacity, remaining European States may be offered the prospect of future inclusion to the European family. Hence, the inclusion of all Balkan states in the EU should remain on the agenda, provided that they satisfy the Copenhagen criteria. This development could safeguard peace and stability in the region. After all, it is also in the security interest of the EU, if the states of the western Balkans have the prospect of joining the Union. In addition, this will certainly relieve the EU from further diplomatic and economic burdens. In the Balkans, the recent wars have created new divisions between peoples and nations and the process is not over yet (see developments in Montenegro and Kosovo). The future integration of these new states in the EU will reduce the new divisions between them, and as a result, accelerate the process of rapprochement and reconciliation in the entire region. In other words, it will be easier for them, to accept the creation of these new dividing lines between Serbia and Montenegro or Kosovo as they anticipate their inclusion into the Union. This is why the prospect of their integration has to be very clear and reaffirmed, in order to relax any negative effects of the current process of new border creation. In that aspect, the EU must introduce clear-cut commitments and a specific framework for action that will guide the remaining Balkans states through specific procedures towards their inclusion in the European Union. Road maps should be drawn indicating the necessary steps for the proper preparation for future membership. These roadmaps should be meaningful and their implementation should be a must for each candidate. “Good Neighbourhood” It has been argued that if the European Union comes to the conclusion that it is not capable to accept an application of full membership of a certain state because of its inner conditions, this must not be a question of “pass or fail.” Rather there are interim solutions and alternatives for a closer relations like close, privileged partnerships which should be “tailor-made” according to the necessities and needs of the respective partners. 6
At this point, we should mention that EU frontiers should not be necessarily associated only with the enlargement procedures and the inclusion of further European states into the EU. Instead, we should also devote our attention to the special and “privileged” relations of the EU with its neighbouring countries. “Good Neighbourhood Offices,” are necessary to the success of this procedure, since we strongly believe that we need to improve our relationships with the remaining European countries that are not to join the EU family. In its Communication "Wider Europe Neighbourhood: A New Framework for Relations with our Eastern and Southern Neighbours,” the Commission proposed that "the European Union should aim to develop a zone of prosperity and a friendly neighbourhood … with whom the European Union enjoys close, peaceful and cooperative relations… Over the coming decade and beyond, the Union’s capacity to provide security, stability and sustainable development to its citizens will no longer be distinguishable from its interest in close co-operation with the neighbours.” The development of such a policy is a logical consequence of enlargement, which, as stated in the Communication “gives new impetus to the effort of drawing closer the 385 million inhabitants of the countries who will find themselves on the external land and sea border, namely Russia, the Western NIS, and the Southern Mediterranean." As a result, the Good Neighbourhood policy of the EU is focused on interdependence with these countries that have recently found themselves at the Union’s frontiers as well as those that will be in the future. Such issues as illegal immigration, human trafficking, and human rights remain the most important to be examined. Promotion of free trade and cooperation in the mentioned issues of interest, among the Union and its neighbours should help ensure greater prosperity and stability at the new EU borders. However, the issue of terrorism and security should attract our greatest attention in the immediate future, as the EU expands towards the turbulent Middle East. Conclusion The issue of the Union’s external borders and future enlargements is fully interlinked with its absorption capacity. Clarifying the question of absorption capacity of the EU does not as such aim at averting new members. It is a strategy to preserve the cohesion of the Union, to maintain its capability to decide and act, and a s result to assure the full support of its citizens. A strong, effective, efficiently functioning Union enhances determinedly its general absorption capacity for future enlargements. As we attempt to define the term ‘absorption capacity’, we should keep in mind that besides setting straight the limits, the vision and the orientation of the EU, we must focus on the nature of the relations of the Member States within the Union and the danger of separating the “new” from the “old” Member States, whereas these two groups could end up experiencing separate levels of integration. The impact on the internal unity of any further enlargement has to be evaluated. Enlargement should not be pursued at the expense of cohesion. The enlarged EU, in its present state of uncertainty over its institutional reforms and adaptations, indispensable for its functioning and problem-solving capacity as well as the full integration of its new members, should seriously consider a period when internal consolidation enjoys a clear priority over continued enlargement activities and considerations. In addition, the effective entry into force of the institutional reforms in particular as foreseen by the Constitutional Treaty, is to be considered the a priori condition for further enlargement. 7
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TF6 Final Report - European Ideas Network

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