|
Description
|
The European Union is currently engaged in negotiations with twelve countries seeking membership. They are: Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. These countries, if they obtain membership, will be obligated to apply the Acquis Communautaire, the set of treaty obligations and legislation to which all member states must adhere. However, in order to ease the transition of these countries (most of which, since the collapse of communism, have been undergoing significant economic and social transformations), the EU has permitted "transitional arrangements" for the application of the Acquis in particular areas. However, these arrangements are limited in number, scope, and duration, and are accompanied by firm deadlines for the full implementation of the Acquis. The Acquis defines the EU, the core of which is the internal market mechanism; in addition, the EU also defines itself as a "community of values and action," making coherence and effective decision-making essential. For this reason, full adherence to the Acquis by the new member states is essential. The overall number of transitional agreements agreed to or requested in the accession negotiations thus far is fairly low, most occurring in the following areas: agriculture, the environment, and the internal market (encompassing the chapters on free movement of goods, persons, services, and capital, as well as those on competition, transport, taxation, energy, and social policy and employment). Other key chapters in the negotiations are structural and cohesion policy and justice and home affairs. Regarding the latter, which includes the so-called Schengen Acquis, accession will not immediately lead to the lifting of internal border controls; this will be the subject of a subsequent unanimous Council decision. It will also be many years after accession before most of the new member states are ready to join the Economic and Monetary Union. The implications of EU enlargement for the United States are significant--the EU will be larger, will have new external borders and interests, and a larger number of member states will render decision-making more complex. Potential problem areas for the United States include economic relations (resulting from the post-enlargement complexity of EU rules and non-compliance issues). Despite potential difficulties, however, an enlarged EU will also create a more unified market, making it easier for U.S. companies to compete in central and eastern Europe. The existence of diverse and competing interests in an enlarged EU may also pose problems for the United States. An internally divided and self-absorbed EU may be uninterested in reaching agreements with the United States, or could seek to compensate by attempting to project external influence and power. Problems stemming from the lack of central leadership in the EU may also become an issue, especially if the Commission becomes preoccupied with its regulatory role. A more significant role for the European Parliament may result in a more democratic EU, but this may also make decision-making even "messier" and the EU a more difficult partner for the United States to deal with. AICGS would like to thank the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for their support of this program.
|
