1st Edition

European Union Enlargement Background, Developments, Facts

Edited By Michael Schwarzinger Copyright 2008
    404 Pages
    by Routledge

    404 Pages
    by Routledge

    European Union Enlargement offers an intense and detailed analysis of the almost ten-year process of preparing and negotiating the accession of Eastern, Southeastern, and Central European countries, as well as Mediterranean countries to the European Union. In the end, ten joined in 2004, with two more to follow in 2007. European Union Enlargement was written by two diplomats who were directly involved in that process.

    Sajdik and Schwarzinger relate their first-hand experience of proceedings that occurred behind closed doors. They detail how the vision of adding some countries gradually developed into the concrete policy intended to enlarge the European Union. A special chapter explains the Accession Process as well as the Union's strategy that prepared the candidate countries, in legal and economic terms, for membership.

    The authors describe in detail the complex negotiations that occurred from 1998 to 2002. These include activities of EU member states as well as the European Commission with respect to the candidate countries. They further offer a brief analysis of future possibilities of EU-accession by Balkan nations and Turkey. A number of topical chapters deal with particular key issues involved in the process: free movement of workers, agriculture, financing of the enlargement, transport, and nuclear safety. Other chapters deal with the enclave of Kaliningrad as well as the Stability and Association Pact for South East Europe.

    In addition to providing key information about the process, this volume is also a case study of European policies and diplomatic practice. The enlargement negotiations from 1998 to 2002 were the most complex ones the European Union had ever conducted. In consequence, this work gives insight into the working methods of both the institutions in Brussels and of the representatives of the member states that made them a success. It will be of interest to those concerned with European politics, international organizations, and area studies.

    Introduction; 1: Uniting a Divided Continent; 2: “Perestroika” and the Restructuring of Eastern Europe’s Relationship with the EC; 3: Designing the Accession and Negotiation Process; 4: Negotiations: From the British to the Danish Council Presidency; 5: May 2004: A Divided Cyprus Becomes EU Member; 6: Migrants and Commuters; 7: Agriculture; 8: Enlargement: An Expensive Amusement or Just Peanuts for the Moneybags?; 9: More Traffic: Acquis for Eastern Lorries under the Transport Negotiating Chapter; 10: Entry and Exit: Nuclear Safety and Enlargement; 11: The Relationship between the European Union and Turkey; 12: Poor Cousin Kaliningrad: A New Future for the Russian Enclave after Enlargement?; 13: Preparing the Western Balkan Countries for EU Membership: The Stabilization and Association Processes; 14: Final Considerations and Outlook

    Biography

    Michael Schwarzinger