Government Response to House of Lords EU Committee Report: The future of EU enlargement, published 6 March 2013

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "Government Response to House of Lords EU Committee Report: The future of EU enlargement, published 6 March 2013"

Transcription

1 Government Response to House of Lords EU Committee Report: The future of EU enlargement, published 6 March 2013 Chapter 1: Introduction 1. The Government welcomes this report and its conclusions. It provides a timely consideration of the future of EU enlargement in the context of the economic crisis and debates about the future structure of the euro area and the Union, and the lessons of previous enlargements. Chapter 2: The enlargement agenda 2. The Government welcomes the Committee s support for its - and previous Governments -commitment to promoting the enlargement agenda, and agrees that the transformative power of enlargement has been proven through successive enlargements. The Government agrees that the rigorous application of the Copenhagen criteria is fundamental to the process (215). 3. The Government shares the Committee s view on the importance of a strategically targeted Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) funding, and has therefore pressed strongly for a more results-focused instrument closely linked to enlargement objectives for the period (IPA II) (219). 4. The Government welcomes the Committee s support for the new approach to Chapters 23 and 24 (217, 218). The Government pressed for this change to provide the maximum time for aspirants to implement sustained reforms in the crucial area of the EU s political criteria, notably the rule of law. Frontloading this significant task supports and encourages difficult transformation over the full period of accession, thereby both reinforcing robust conditionality at each step in the process and reducing the risk of imposing an insurmountable burden of work upon candidate countries (220, 221).The new approach also includes a disequilibrium clause, allowing the enlargement process to be slowed or halted in the absence of sufficient progress in core areas (224). More focus on embedding reforms before accession, when the EU s leverage is greater, reduces the potential need for postaccession monitoring (222). 5. We take note of Committee s recommendation on the use of incentives to counteract negative perceptions of the credibility of, and the EU s commitment to, the enlargement process (227). With regard to visa liberalisation, the Government view is that the road to visa liberalisation for aspirant EU countries is linked to the extensive security and migration reforms that are fundamental to the enlargement process. Visa liberalisation should not be offered as a detached incentive or a measure of progress towards EU membership; this risks miscalculating the unique circumstances in each aspirant country and hindering dialogue on wider rule of law matters. 6. The years leading up to Cyprus accession saw major efforts made by the United Nations, the UK and other countries to encourage Cypriot leaders to find a solution to reunify the island. This would have seen a unified Cyprus join the EU, and it is

2 unfortunate that a solution could not be found at the time. The Government agrees that the continued division of Cyprus has complicated the EU s relationship with Turkey, as well as contributing to a complex situation for the Turkish Cypriot community, with the EU acquis suspended in the north of the island pending a solution (229). 7. We value our relationship with the Republic of Cyprus, and welcome the success of their EU Presidency. We remain committed to supporting the UN s efforts to achieve a settlement based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality. The Government also supports efforts to prepare the north of Cyprus for accession, as well as the 2004 Council Conclusions committing the EU to ending the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community. 8. The Government shares the Committee s view that it is important to seek ways to avoid the importation of bilateral disputes into the enlargement process. The Government will continue to work with the Commission and other Member States to encourage an open and transparent approach to resolving disputes, and to explore mechanisms to protect the momentum of the enlargement process ( ). Chapter 3: Impact on candidate countries and new member states 9. As reflected in the previous chapter, the enlargement process is transformative, often acting as a motivator for substantial political and economic change. The Government agrees that a clear focus on economic as well as political governance during the accession process is important, particularly given the current requirement for new Member States to join the euro area. IPA II provides further opportunities to support this (238, 240, 241). Chapter 4: Impact on member states and the union 10. The Government strongly agrees that enlargement increases the EU s influence on the global stage (242), spreads lasting peace and stability across Europe (243), and has brought economic benefits to the existing Union (244). In this context, the Government agrees that potential policy outcomes should form part of the enlargement debate, but should not deter future enlargement (246). The Government is committed to engaging with new and potential Member States to share policy thinking with them at an early stage, with a view to working closely with them on specific policy areas once they have joined the EU. 11. In this regard, the Government notes the Committee s observations on the impact of enlargement on energy and climate change (246), and agrees that early engagement with candidate countries is important in mitigating the risk of new Member States impacting negatively on the development of key EU policies. Future Member States also offer the potential to increase the EU s level of ambition, for example drawing on Iceland s experience with geothermal energy or Turkey s potential to provide increased energy security for the EU. The EU is a powerful voice in tackling climate change and one of the major players in international climate change negotiations. As in other policy areas, consensus on

3 long-term policy and targets on energy and climate change should be used during the accession process to provide clarity on EU obligations and levels of ambition for new member states. 12. The Government agrees with the Committee that the free movement of workers is an important element of the EU s internal market (248). As the Committee notes, there is public concern about the potential abuse of free movement, particularly non-workers travelling to claim social security benefits rather than engage in employment (249, 250). The Government believes it is right to make sure that everyone who comes to the UK makes a proper contribution. The Government is taking steps domestically as the Committee suggests (250) to ensure that we have an immigration system that works in the national interest. We are working with European partners to explore changes to the current EU social security legislation. Chapter 5: Enlargement in the medium term 13. The Government welcomes the Committee s support for enlargement being conducted under the own merits principle, encouraging sustained progress protected from delay by issues outside the accession process such as bilateral disputes, and allowing sufficient time to ensure reforms are embedded before accession, thereby avoiding the potential requirement for post-accession monitoring (251, 252). 14. The Government remains committed to the principle that eventual membership of the EU is open to all European countries, so long as they meet the criteria. In support if this, beyond Iceland, Turkey and the Western Balkans, we work closely with all six Eastern Partnership countries, and support the development of their closer political and economic integration with the EU through Association Agreements and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements, which require irreversible political and economic reform (253, 254). 15. With regard to what the Committee has termed enlargement reticence among EU Member States and their populations, the Government agrees that it is in the UK s interests to keep the enlargement project going notwithstanding the economic and financial crisis: an artificial pause would damage not only the confidence of the aspirants in the EU s credibility, but impact on the long term security and prosperity benefits of enlargement to the EU. In this context, the Government shares the Committee s view on the importance of communicating better the benefits of enlargement and the costs of non-enlargement to the general public in both the Union and aspirant countries ( ). The Government agrees that the Union benefits from the diversity of its members, and will benefit from further enlargement. While it will remain important to ensure that the institutional framework of the EU continues to allow effective decision-making, and noting that enlargement necessarily impacts upon voting weights in the Council, and the distribution of MEPs among Member States, the Government agrees that this does not constitute a barrier to enlargement ( ).

4 16. The Government welcomes the Committee s consideration of the impact of enlargement on the EU budget, and also its reflections on the importance of placing this in the context of the broader economic benefits that enlargement can offer ( ). It agrees in particular that the application of transitional arrangements can minimise the economic impact of enlargement on EU citizens while also supporting new members. 17. The Government shares the Committee s assessment that there is a risk of accession fatigue in aspirant countries, if the credibility and effectiveness of the enlargement process are not sustained (269). Enlargement offers the EU a soft power lever to promote reform in its neighbourhood which would be lost if candidates disengaged from the process (272). The UK has therefore been active in promoting and supporting innovations in the enlargement process, such as the new approach to rule of law issues and - to provide shorter term incentives too the Positive Agenda with Turkey and the High Level Accession Dialogue with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (274). However, such short-term innovations cannot replace the benefits of the accession negotiations themselves, and the Government is actively supporting the reinvigoration of Turkey s negotiations (273). 18. The Government agrees that civil societies in aspirant countries have an important role to play in promoting reform bottom-up. The Government supports civil society engagement in key areas of reform through the UK s bilateral programme funding in enlargement countries. The UK will also continue to encourage the Commission to engage civil society and encourage non-state actors participation in IPA II, both as direct recipients of EU assistance and in monitoring programmes run by the beneficiary governments (270, 271). 19. The Government recognises the Committee s view that a permanent EU-wide monitoring system resembling the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism, to ensure Member States also meet the standards demanded of candidates, is not politically feasible, and will take this into consideration if any such proposal be brought forward (275). The Government notes that a robust accession process is the key to delivering embedded and irreversible reforms before a country joins the EU. Chapter 6: Possible alternatives 20. The Government believes that all European countries that meet the standards and wish to join should be able eventually to become members of the EU. The enlargement process needs to remain rigorous and credible, including by responding to backsliding in standards during the process (277). The Government does not support permanent alternatives to membership. Removing the incentive of full membership would impact significantly on the EU s ability to encourage reforms in its neighbourhood that are equally of benefit to the EU as to the aspirant countries. The Eastern Partnership and European Economic Area are valuable in themselves and also as potential stepping stones to full EU membership. The UK is clear in its communication with the Eastern Partnership countries that they are

5 eligible to apply for EU membership provided they meet the relevant criteria, and that the Association Agreements and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements are not alternatives to EU membership. The necessary reforms needed are important for their own sake not just for EU membership.

Council conclusions on enlargment/stabilisation and association process. 3060th GENERAL AFFAIRS Council meeting Brussels, 14 December 2010

Council conclusions on enlargment/stabilisation and association process. 3060th GENERAL AFFAIRS Council meeting Brussels, 14 December 2010 COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION Council conclusions on enlargment/stabilisation and association process 3060th GERAL AFFAIRS Council meeting Brussels, 14 December 2010 The Council adopted the following conclusions:

More information

EC Communication on A credible enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans COM (2018) 65

EC Communication on A credible enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans COM (2018) 65 Position Paper May 2018 EC Communication on A credible enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans COM (2018) 65 EUROCHAMBRES and the Western Balkans Six Chambers Investment

More information

Council conclusions on Enlargement and Stabilisation and Association Process. General Affairs Council meeting Brussels, 16 December 2014

Council conclusions on Enlargement and Stabilisation and Association Process. General Affairs Council meeting Brussels, 16 December 2014 Council of the European Union PRESS EN COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS Brussels, 16 December 2014 Council conclusions on Enlargement and Stabilisation and Association Process The Council adopted the following conclusions:

More information

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. Brussels, 17 December 2013 (OR. en) 17952/13 ELARG 176 COWEB 190

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. Brussels, 17 December 2013 (OR. en) 17952/13 ELARG 176 COWEB 190 COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION Brussels, 17 December 2013 (OR. en) 17952/13 ELARG 176 COWEB 190 OUTCOME OF PROCEEDINGS From: General Secretariat of the Council On: 17 December 2013 To: Delegations No. prev.

More information

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL A CITIZENS AGENDA

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL A CITIZENS AGENDA COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Brussels, 10.5.2006 COM(2006) 211 final COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL A CITIZENS AGENDA DELIVERING RESULTS FOR EUROPE EN EN COMMUNICATION

More information

epp european people s party

epp european people s party EU-Western Balkan Summit EPP Declaration adopted at the EPP EU-Western Balkan Summit, Sofia 16 May 2018 01 Fundamentally united by our common EPP values, based on this shared community of principles and

More information

THE WESTERN BALKANS LEGAL BASIS OBJECTIVES BACKGROUND INSTRUMENTS

THE WESTERN BALKANS LEGAL BASIS OBJECTIVES BACKGROUND INSTRUMENTS THE WESTERN BALKANS The EU has developed a policy to support the gradual integration of the Western Balkan countries with the Union. On 1 July 2013, Croatia became the first of the seven countries to join,

More information

THE ENLARGEMENT OF THE UNION

THE ENLARGEMENT OF THE UNION THE ENLARGEMENT OF THE UNION On 1 July 2013, Croatia became the 28th Member State of the European Union. Croatia s accession, which followed that of Romania and Bulgaria on 1 January 2007, marked the sixth

More information

The EU: a Force for Peace, Stability and Prosperity in Wider Europe

The EU: a Force for Peace, Stability and Prosperity in Wider Europe SPEECH/10/706 Štefan Füle European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy The EU: a Force for Peace, Stability and Prosperity in Wider Europe Columbia University New York, 30 November 2010

More information

European Neighbourhood Policy

European Neighbourhood Policy European Neighbourhood Policy Page 1 European Neighbourhood Policy Introduction The EU s expansion from 15 to 27 members has led to the development during the last five years of a new framework for closer

More information

epp european people s party

epp european people s party EMERGENCY RESOLUTION ADOPTED AT THE EPP CONGRESS - MALTA, 29ST AND 30ND MARCH 2017 01 Bearing in mind that: a) EU enlargement has been one of the most successful European policies and has proven the attractiveness

More information

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Ladies and Gentlemen, STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF CYPRUS ON STRENGTHENING EU S TIES WITH ITS NEIGHBOURS DURING THE CYPRUS PRESIDENCY AT THE ECONOMIST CONFERENCE, NICOSIA, HILTON PARK, 8 OCTOBER 2012 Ladies

More information

Trade and Economic relations with Western Balkans

Trade and Economic relations with Western Balkans P6_TA(2009)0005 Trade and Economic relations with Western Balkans European Parliament resolution of 13 January 2009 on Trade and Economic relations with Western Balkans (2008/2149(INI)) The European Parliament,

More information

Accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU- a debate in the Bundestag

Accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU- a debate in the Bundestag SPEECH/06/607 Mr Olli Rehn Member of the European Commission, responsible for Enlargement Accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU- a debate in the Bundestag EU Committee of the German Bundestag Berlin,

More information

TURKEY AND THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBORHOOD POLICY

TURKEY AND THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBORHOOD POLICY TURKEY AND THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBORHOOD POLICY There is clear scope for Turkey and the EU to further develop cooperation and to intensify policy coordination in the Southern Mediterranean and Black Sea regions.

More information

European Union Enlargement Conditionality

European Union Enlargement Conditionality Eli Gateva European Union Enlargement Conditionality 2015. Palgrave Macmillan UK. Pages: 240. ISBN: 978-1-137-48242-6. As the European integration project evolved tremendously over time, so did its enlargement

More information

The Future of the European Neighbourhood Policy

The Future of the European Neighbourhood Policy European Research Studies, Volume XI, Issue (1-2) 2008 Abstract: The Future of the European Neighbourhood Policy By Mete Feridun 1 The purpose of this article is to explore the future of the EU s Neighbourhood

More information

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL. Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL. Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges EN EN EN EUROPEAN COMMISSION Brussels, 9.11. 2010 COM(2010) 660 COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges 2010-2011 {SEC(2010)

More information

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL EN EN EN EUROPEAN COMMISSION Brussels, 9.11. 2010 COM(2010) 680 COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL Commission Opinion on Albania's application for membership of

More information

A comparative study on the role of EU perspective upon the Europeanisation of Croatia and Turkey

A comparative study on the role of EU perspective upon the Europeanisation of Croatia and Turkey A comparative study on the role of EU perspective upon the Europeanisation of Croatia and Turkey Dr.Yeşim Özer Istanbul University E-mail: yozer@istanbul.edu.tr Track: The Strength of NATO and EU conditionality

More information

Final Statement adopted unanimously on 6 December 2005

Final Statement adopted unanimously on 6 December 2005 EUROPEAN UNION- YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA JOINT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE 5-6 December 2005 BRUSSELS Final Statement adopted unanimously on 6 December 2005 6 December 2005 FdR 593279 PE 366.152 The

More information

EU enlargement Institutional aspects and the ECB s role

EU enlargement Institutional aspects and the ECB s role A T E C 1 Národná banka Slovenska and the European Central Bank, DG European and International Relations. 2 The author would like to acknowledge the comments and suggestions made by Benjamin Vonessen and

More information

A reform agenda for Europe's future

A reform agenda for Europe's future A reform agenda for Europe's future EPP GROUP PRIORITIES 2014-2019 The European Union is facing enormous challenges after the European elections. Millions unemployed, increasing migration levels, tough

More information

Civil Society Forum Belgrade Recommendations

Civil Society Forum Belgrade Recommendations Civil Society Forum Belgrade Recommendations The Civil Society Forum Belgrade Forum was realised as a joint initiative of the European Fund for the Balkans (EFB) and ERSTE Foundation, supported by the

More information

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS EUROPEAN COMMISSION Strasbourg, 17.4.2018 COM(2018) 450 final COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF

More information

External dimensions of EU migration law and policy

External dimensions of EU migration law and policy 1 External dimensions of EU migration law and policy Session 1: Overview Bernard Ryan University of Leicester br85@le.ac.uk Academy of European Law Session of 11 July 2016 2 Three sessions Plan is: Session

More information

The EU & the United States

The EU & the United States The EU & the United States Page 1 The EU & the United States Summary The United States supported European integration from its beginnings after the Second World War despite domestic concerns that Europe

More information

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. Brussels, 2 April 2014 (OR. en) 8443/14 ASIM 34 RELEX 298 DEVGEN 79

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. Brussels, 2 April 2014 (OR. en) 8443/14 ASIM 34 RELEX 298 DEVGEN 79 COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION Brussels, 2 April 2014 (OR. en) 8443/14 ASIM 34 RELEX 298 DEVG 79 "I/A" ITEM NOTE From: General Secretariat of the Council To: Subject: Permanent Representatives Committee/Council

More information

Brussels, September 2005 Riccardo Serri European Commission DG Enlargement

Brussels, September 2005 Riccardo Serri European Commission DG Enlargement EU Enlargement and Turkey s prospects Brussels, September 2005 Riccardo Serri European Commission DG Enlargement riccardo.serri@cec.eu.int http://europa.eu.int/comm/enlargement/index.htm expected The «new»

More information

Summit of the Southern European Union Countries Nicosia, 29 January 2019 Nicosia Declaration

Summit of the Southern European Union Countries Nicosia, 29 January 2019 Nicosia Declaration Summit of the Southern European Union Countries Nicosia, 29 January 2019 Nicosia Declaration 1.We, the Heads of State or Government of Cyprus, France, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Malta, and Spain, have convened

More information

DRAFT REPORT. EN United in diversity EN. European Parliament 2018/2150(INI) on the 2018 Commission Report on Turkey (2018/2150(INI))

DRAFT REPORT. EN United in diversity EN. European Parliament 2018/2150(INI) on the 2018 Commission Report on Turkey (2018/2150(INI)) European Parliament 2014-2019 Committee on Foreign Affairs 2018/2150(INI) 14.11.2018 DRAFT REPORT on the 2018 Commission Report on Turkey (2018/2150(INI)) Committee on Foreign Affairs Rapporteur: Kati

More information

The Future of Euro-Atlantic Integration in the Western Balkans

The Future of Euro-Atlantic Integration in the Western Balkans The Future of Euro-Atlantic Integration in the Western Balkans PONARS Eurasia Policy Memo No. 208 June 2012 Harris Mylonas George Washington University Given the absence of enlargement progress in the

More information

Priorities and programme of the Hungarian Presidency

Priorities and programme of the Hungarian Presidency Priorities and programme of the Hungarian Presidency The Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union wishes to build its political agenda around the human factor, focusing on four main topics:

More information

The EU & the Western Balkans

The EU & the Western Balkans The EU & the Western Balkans Page 1 The EU & the Western Balkans Introduction The conclusion in June 2011 of the accession negotiations with Croatia with a view to that country joining in 2013, and the

More information

The future of EU enlargement

The future of EU enlargement HOUSE OF LORDS European Union Committee 10th Report of Session 2012 13 The future of EU enlargement Report Ordered to be printed 26 February 2013 and published 6 March 2013 Published by the Authority of

More information

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS EUROPEAN COMMISSION Brussels, 13.9.2017 COM(2017) 492 final COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE

More information

Council of the European Union Brussels, 6 November 2015 (OR. en)

Council of the European Union Brussels, 6 November 2015 (OR. en) Council of the European Union Brussels, 6 November 2015 (OR. en) 13507/15 FSTR 69 FC 70 REGIO 85 SOC 626 AGRISTR 70 PECHE 399 CADREFIN 66 NOTE From: To: Subject: General Secretariat of the Council Permanent

More information

6061/16 YML/ik 1 DG C 1

6061/16 YML/ik 1 DG C 1 Council of the European Union Brussels, 15 February 2016 (OR. en) 6061/16 OUTCOME OF PROCEEDINGS From: To: General Secretariat of the Council Delegations No. prev. doc.: 6049/16 Subject: European climate

More information

Russia and the EU s need for each other

Russia and the EU s need for each other SPEECH/08/300 Benita Ferrero-Waldner European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Russia and the EU s need for each other Speech at the European Club, State Duma Moscow,

More information

tepav EU-Turkey Relations and the New Political Context Oya Memişoğlu June 8, 2007, Ankara economic policy research foundation of turkey

tepav EU-Turkey Relations and the New Political Context Oya Memişoğlu June 8, 2007, Ankara economic policy research foundation of turkey tepav economic policy research foundation of turkey EU-Turkey Relations and the New Political Context Oya Memişoğlu June 8, 2007, Ankara EU-Turkey Relations Slide 2 A shortened long history 1963: Association

More information

POSITION PAPER. Corruption and the Eastern Partnership

POSITION PAPER. Corruption and the Eastern Partnership POSITION PAPER Corruption and the Eastern Partnership 1. Summary The Eastern Partnership is a unique platform to leverage anti-corruption reforms in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The offer of closer

More information

Transitional Measures concerning the Schengen acquis for the states of the last accession: the cases of Bulgaria and Romania.

Transitional Measures concerning the Schengen acquis for the states of the last accession: the cases of Bulgaria and Romania. Transitional Measures concerning the Schengen acquis for the states of the last accession: the cases of Bulgaria and Romania. The enlargement of 2007 brought two new eastern countries into the European

More information

EUROPEAN UNION SELECT COMMITTEE CONTENTS

EUROPEAN UNION SELECT COMMITTEE CONTENTS European Union Committee House of Lords London SW1A 0PW www.parliament.uk/hleu The primary purpose of the House of Lords European Union Select Committee is to scrutinise EU law in draft before the Government

More information

OSCE commitments on freedom of movement and challenges to their implementation

OSCE commitments on freedom of movement and challenges to their implementation PC.SHDM.DEL/3/13 26 April 2013 ENGLISH only OSCE commitments on freedom of movement and challenges to their implementation Keynote address by Ms. Marta Cygan, Director of Strategy and Delivery Steering

More information

The Future of European Integration

The Future of European Integration Center for Social and Economic Research Marek Dąbrowski The Future of European Integration Two dimensions of discussion: widening and deepening. This presentation mostly on widening Plan of my presentation:

More information

EU Ukraine Association Agreement Quick Guide to the Association Agreement

EU Ukraine Association Agreement Quick Guide to the Association Agreement EU Ukraine Association Agreement Quick Guide to the Association Agreement Background In 2014 the European Union and Ukraine signed an Association Agreement (AA) that constitutes a new state in the development

More information

8th UNION FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN TRADE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE. Brussels, 9 December Conclusions

8th UNION FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN TRADE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE. Brussels, 9 December Conclusions 8th UNION FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN TRADE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE Brussels, 9 December 2009 Conclusions The 8th Euromed Trade Ministerial Conference was held in Brussels on 9 December 2009. Ministers discussed

More information

Working Paper. Post-Accession Conditionality

Working Paper. Post-Accession Conditionality Working Paper Post-Accession Conditionality Support Instrument for Continuous Pressure? Eli Gateva No. 18 October 2010 2 KFG Working Paper No. 18 October 2010 KFG Working Paper Series Edited by the Kolleg-Forschergruppe

More information

Is the EU's Eastern Partnership promoting Europeanisation?

Is the EU's Eastern Partnership promoting Europeanisation? > > P O L I C Y B R I E F I S S N : 1 9 8 9-2 6 6 7 Nº 97 - SEPTEMBER 2011 Is the EU's Eastern Partnership promoting Europeanisation? Iryna Solonenko and Natalia Shapovalova >> The Eastern Partnership

More information

The European Perspective of Iceland

The European Perspective of Iceland SPEECH/09/373 Olli Rehn Eu Commissioner for Enlargement The European Perspective of Iceland University of Iceland Reykjavik, 9 September 2009 Foreign Minister, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends, It is

More information

Participation in the EU Internal Market: the experience of NMS and its relevance to the ENP

Participation in the EU Internal Market: the experience of NMS and its relevance to the ENP Center for Social and Economic Research Marek Dabrowski Participation in the EU Internal Market: the experience of NMS and its relevance to the ENP Presentation prepared for the 10th Euro-Med Economic

More information

GREECE AND TURKEY IN THE 21TH CENTURY ACCESSION OF TURKEY TO THE EU, DIFFICULTIES AND PERSPECTIVES

GREECE AND TURKEY IN THE 21TH CENTURY ACCESSION OF TURKEY TO THE EU, DIFFICULTIES AND PERSPECTIVES GREECE AND TURKEY IN THE 21TH CENTURY ACCESSION OF TURKEY TO THE EU, DIFFICULTIES AND PERSPECTIVES Mr President, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a great pleasure and honour to address this distinguished audience

More information

Address given by Günter Verheugen on the enlargement of the EU and the European Neighbourhood Policy (Moscow, 27 October 2003)

Address given by Günter Verheugen on the enlargement of the EU and the European Neighbourhood Policy (Moscow, 27 October 2003) Address given by Günter Verheugen on the enlargement of the EU and the European Neighbourhood Policy (Moscow, 27 October 2003) Caption: On 27 October 2003, Günter Verheugen, European Commissioner for Enlargement,

More information

The EU, Russia and Eastern Europe Dissenting views on security, stability and partnership?

The EU, Russia and Eastern Europe Dissenting views on security, stability and partnership? The EU, Russia and Eastern Europe Dissenting views on security, stability and partnership? The expert roundtable conference The EU, Russia and Eastern Europe Dissenting views on security, stability and

More information

Western Balkans: launch of first European Partnerships, Annual Report

Western Balkans: launch of first European Partnerships, Annual Report IP/04/407 Brussels, 30 March 2004 Western Balkans: launch of first European Partnerships, Annual Report The European commission has today approved the first ever European Partnerships for the Western Balkans

More information

Policy Brief: The Working Group on the Western Balkans

Policy Brief: The Working Group on the Western Balkans Policy Brief: The Working Group on the Western Balkans Although the EU and the US agree that the long term goal for the Western Balkans is European integration, progress has stalled. This series of working

More information

Autumn 2018 Standard Eurobarometer: Positive image of the EU prevails ahead of the European elections

Autumn 2018 Standard Eurobarometer: Positive image of the EU prevails ahead of the European elections European Commission - Press release Autumn 2018 Standard Eurobarometer: Positive image of the EU prevails ahead of the European elections Brussels, 21 December 2018 According to a new Eurobarometer survey

More information

Speech at the Business Event: Investment, growth and job creation, official visit to Serbia, 30 January-1 February 2018

Speech at the Business Event: Investment, growth and job creation, official visit to Serbia, 30 January-1 February 2018 Speech at the Business Event: Investment, growth and job creation, official visit to Serbia, 30 January-1 February 2018 Speeches Hotel Metropol Palace, Belgrade 31-01-2018 (check against delivery) We have

More information

Proposals for a S&D position towards the Western Balkans and their European perspective

Proposals for a S&D position towards the Western Balkans and their European perspective S&D Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists & in the European Parliament Democrats European Parliament Rue Wiertz 60 B-1047 Bruxelles T +32 2 284 2111 F +32 2 230 6664 www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu

More information

Joint Report on the EU-Canada Scoping Exercise March 5, 2009

Joint Report on the EU-Canada Scoping Exercise March 5, 2009 Joint Report on the EU-Canada Scoping Exercise March 5, 2009 CHAPTER ONE OVERVIEW OF ACTIVITIES At their 17 th October 2008 Summit, EU and Canadian Leaders agreed to work together to "define the scope

More information

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION enlargement strategy paper

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION enlargement strategy paper COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Brussels, 9 November 2005 COM (2005) 561 COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION 2005 enlargement strategy paper EN EN 1. THE EU S ENLARGEMENT POLICY Enlargement is one

More information

tepav June2016 N EVALUATION NOTE CRITICAL JUNCTURE IN CYPRUS NEGOTIATIONS 4 Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey Abstract

tepav June2016 N EVALUATION NOTE CRITICAL JUNCTURE IN CYPRUS NEGOTIATIONS 4 Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey Abstract EVALUATION NOTE June2016 N201620 tepav Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey Nilgün Arısan 1 2 Center Director EU Studies Center Atila Eralp 3 Consultant Area Studies Program CRITICAL JUNCTURE

More information

LIMITE EN COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. Brussels, 24 September 2008 (07.10) (OR. fr) 13440/08 LIMITE ASIM 72. NOTE from: Presidency

LIMITE EN COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. Brussels, 24 September 2008 (07.10) (OR. fr) 13440/08 LIMITE ASIM 72. NOTE from: Presidency COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION Brussels, 24 September 2008 (07.10) (OR. fr) 13440/08 LIMITE ASIM 72 NOTE from: Presidency to: Council No. prev. doc.: 13189/08 ASIM 68 Subject: European Pact on Immigration

More information

DRAFT REPORT. EN United in diversity EN. European Parliament 2016/2310(INI)

DRAFT REPORT. EN United in diversity EN. European Parliament 2016/2310(INI) European Parliament 2014-2019 Committee on Foreign Affairs 2016/2310(INI) 10.1.2017 DRAFT REPORT on the 2016 Commission Report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (2016/2310(INI)) Committee on

More information

EU Funds in the area of migration

EU Funds in the area of migration EU Funds in the area of migration Local and Regional Governments perspective CEMR views on the future of EU funds in the area of migration ahead of the post-2020 MFF negotiations and programming April

More information

Issued by the PECC Standing Committee at the close of. The 13th General Meeting of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council

Issued by the PECC Standing Committee at the close of. The 13th General Meeting of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council PECC 99 STATEMENT Issued by the PECC Standing Committee at the close of The 13th General Meeting of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council 23 October 1999 As we look to the 21st century and to PECC s

More information

UK PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL JULY-DECEMBER 2005 PRESIDENCY PRIORITIES

UK PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL JULY-DECEMBER 2005 PRESIDENCY PRIORITIES UK PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL JULY-DECEMBER 2005 PRESIDENCY PRIORITIES The United Kingdom assumes the Presidency of the Council on 1 July 2005. We have worked closely with other Presidencies, particularly

More information

Enlargement as an instrument of the EU s soft power

Enlargement as an instrument of the EU s soft power SPEECH/07/642 Olli Rehn EU Commissioner for Enlargement Enlargement as an instrument of the EU s soft power Anna Lindh Award Ceremony 19 October 2007 Regards from Lisbon. I am glad to return to Brussels

More information

DRAFT REPORT. European Parliament 2016/2308(INI) on the 2016 Commission Report on Turkey (2016/2308(INI)) Rapporteur: Kati Piri

DRAFT REPORT. European Parliament 2016/2308(INI) on the 2016 Commission Report on Turkey (2016/2308(INI)) Rapporteur: Kati Piri European Parliament 2014-2019 Committee on Foreign Affairs 2016/2308(INI) 18.4.2017 DRAFT REPORT on the 2016 Commission Report on Turkey (2016/2308(INI)) Committee on Foreign Affairs Rapporteur: Kati Piri

More information

epp european people s party

epp european people s party EPP Declaration for the EU s EaP Brussels Summit, Thursday, 23 November 2017 01 Based on a shared community of values and a joint commitment to international law and fundamental values, and based on the

More information

Remarks by High Representative/Vice- President Federica Mogherini at the press. conference following the Foreign Affairs Council

Remarks by High Representative/Vice- President Federica Mogherini at the press. conference following the Foreign Affairs Council 28/05/2018-20:46 REMARKS Remarks by High Representative/Vice- President Federica Mogherini at the press conference following the Foreign Affairs Council Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Federica

More information

European Union Enlargement

European Union Enlargement Kristin Archick Specialist in European Affairs February 4, 2013 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov RS21344 Summary

More information

EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD AND PARTNERSHIP INSTRUMENT ISRAEL STRATEGY PAPER & INDICATIVE PROGRAMME

EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD AND PARTNERSHIP INSTRUMENT ISRAEL STRATEGY PAPER & INDICATIVE PROGRAMME EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD AND PARTNERSHIP INSTRUMENT ISRAEL STRATEGY PAPER 2007-2013 & INDICATIVE PROGRAMME 2007-2010 1 Executive Summary This Country Strategy Paper (CSP) for Israel covers the period 2007-2013.

More information

EU Enlargement: the. Western Balkans 14 MARCH 2007

EU Enlargement: the. Western Balkans 14 MARCH 2007 EU Enlargement: the 14 MARCH 2007 Western Balkans In 2003 the EU declared that the future of the Balkans is within the European Union. Initially it adopted a generous strategy that linked the timetable

More information

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. Brussels, 14 May /12 DEVGEN 110 ACP 66 FIN 306 RELEX 390

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. Brussels, 14 May /12 DEVGEN 110 ACP 66 FIN 306 RELEX 390 COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION Brussels, 14 May 2012 9369/12 DEVGEN 110 ACP 66 FIN 306 RELEX 390 NOTE From: General Secretariat Dated: 14 May 2012 No. prev. doc.: 9316/12 Subject: Increasing the impact

More information

Danish positions on key developments in the European Union

Danish positions on key developments in the European Union DANISH INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES STRANDGADE 56 1401 Copenhagen K +45 32 69 87 87 diis@diis.dk www.diis.dk DIIS Brief Danish positions on key developments in the European Union Summarised by Gry

More information

Report Workshop 1. Sustaining peace at local level

Report Workshop 1. Sustaining peace at local level Report Workshop 1. Sustaining peace at local level This workshop centred around the question: how can development actors be more effective in sustaining peace at the local level? The following issues were

More information

Western Balkans ECR-WESTERN BALKAN-FLD-V2.indd 1

Western Balkans ECR-WESTERN BALKAN-FLD-V2.indd 1 Western Balkans 442514-ECR-WESTERN BALKAN-FLD-V2.indd 1 12/06/2018 10:28 2 442514-ECR-WESTERN BALKAN-FLD-V2.indd 2 12/06/2018 10:28 WESTERN BALKANS ENLARGEMENT CRITERIA The Treaty on the European Union

More information

PREAMBLE THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM, THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA, THE CZECH REPUBLIC, THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, THE REPUBLIC O

PREAMBLE THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM, THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA, THE CZECH REPUBLIC, THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, THE REPUBLIC O Disclaimer: Please note that the present documents are only made available for information purposes and do not represent the final version of the Association Agreement. The texts which have been initialled

More information

RESOLUTION. Euronest Parliamentary Assembly Assemblée parlementaire Euronest Parlamentarische Versammlung Euronest Парламентская Aссамблея Евронест

RESOLUTION. Euronest Parliamentary Assembly Assemblée parlementaire Euronest Parlamentarische Versammlung Euronest Парламентская Aссамблея Евронест Euronest Parliamentary Assembly Assemblée parlementaire Euronest Parlamentarische Versammlung Euronest Парламентская Aссамблея Евронест 28.05.2013 RESOLUTION on combating poverty and social exclusion in

More information

"The Enlargement of the EU: Impact on the EU-Russia bilateral cooperation"

The Enlargement of the EU: Impact on the EU-Russia bilateral cooperation SPEECH/03/597 Mr Erkki Liikanen Member of the European Commission, responsible for Enterprise and the Information Society "The Enlargement of the EU: Impact on the EU-Russia bilateral cooperation" 5 th

More information

Delegations will find attached Council conclusions on Enlargement and Stabilisation and Association Process as adopted by the Council on 26 June 2018.

Delegations will find attached Council conclusions on Enlargement and Stabilisation and Association Process as adopted by the Council on 26 June 2018. Council of the European Union Brussels, 26 June 2018 (OR. en) 10555/18 ELARG 41 COWEB 102 OUTCOME OF PROCEEDINGS From: General Secretariat of the Council To: Delegations No. prev. doc.: 10374/18 Subject:

More information

Council of the European Union Brussels, 12 December 2017 (OR. en)

Council of the European Union Brussels, 12 December 2017 (OR. en) Council of the European Union Brussels, 12 December 2017 (OR. en) 15587/17 COVEME 9 OUTCOME OF PROCEEDINGS From: General Secretariat of the Council On: 12 December 2017 To: Delegations No. prev. doc.:

More information

European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) Summary of the single support framework TUNISIA

European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) Summary of the single support framework TUNISIA European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) Summary of the 2017-20 single support framework TUNISIA 1. Milestones Although the Association Agreement signed in 1995 continues to be the institutional framework

More information

ANNEX 1 1 IDENTIFICATION

ANNEX 1 1 IDENTIFICATION Ref. Ares(2017)1012433-24/02/2017 ANNEX 1 SPECIAL MEASURE ON SUPPORTING SERBIA, THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA AND OTHER IPA II BENEFICIARIES IN THE WESTERN BALKANS TO IMPROVE THEIR BORDER AND

More information

THE EU AND THE SECURITY COUNCIL Current Challenges and Future Prospects

THE EU AND THE SECURITY COUNCIL Current Challenges and Future Prospects THE EU AND THE SECURITY COUNCIL Current Challenges and Future Prospects H.E. Michael Spindelegger Minister for Foreign Affairs of Austria Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination Woodrow Wilson School

More information

SAA for Everyone. Your Guide to Understanding Kosovo s SAA with the EU

SAA for Everyone. Your Guide to Understanding Kosovo s SAA with the EU SAA for Everyone Your Guide to Understanding Kosovo s SAA with the EU SAA for Everyone Your Guide to Understanding Kosovo s SAA with the EU Author: Krenar Gashi Editors: Joanna Hanson, Micaela Thurman,

More information

RT HON SIR ALAN DUNCAN MP

RT HON SIR ALAN DUNCAN MP Rt Hon Sir Alan Duncan MP Minister for Europe and the Americas King Charles Street London SW1A 2AH 08 February 2018 The Baroness Verma Chair EU External Affairs Sub-Committee House of Lords London SW1A

More information

EIGHTH TRILATERAL MINISTERIAL MEETING OF BULGARIA, GREECE AND ROMANIA JOINT DECLARATION

EIGHTH TRILATERAL MINISTERIAL MEETING OF BULGARIA, GREECE AND ROMANIA JOINT DECLARATION EIGHTH TRILATERAL MINISTERIAL MEETING OF BULGARIA, GREECE AND ROMANIA Sofia, 12 November 2012 JOINT DECLARATION We, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, Greece and Romania, met in Sofia on 12th

More information

8th Commission meeting, 19 April 2016 DRAFT OPINION. Commission for Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Affairs

8th Commission meeting, 19 April 2016 DRAFT OPINION. Commission for Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Affairs 8th Commission meeting, 19 April 2016 CIVEX-VI/008 DRAFT OPINION Commission for Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Affairs EU Enlargement Strategy 2015-2016 Rapporteur: Anna Magyar (HU/EPP)

More information

Priorities of the Portuguese Presidency of the EU Council (July December 2007)

Priorities of the Portuguese Presidency of the EU Council (July December 2007) Priorities of the Portuguese Presidency of the EU Council (July December 2007) Caption: Work Programme presented by the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the second half of

More information

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION EUROPEAN PARLIAMT 2009-2014 Plenary sitting 4.12.2013 B7-0000/2013 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION to wind up the debate on the statement by the Commission pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure on

More information

EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP

EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP Standard Eurobarometer 78 Autumn 2012 EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP REPORT Fieldwork: November 2012 This survey has been requested and co-ordinated by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Communication.

More information

Joining forces for Child Rights in Eastern Europe

Joining forces for Child Rights in Eastern Europe Joining forces for Child Rights in Eastern Europe 7 th Regional Meeting of Child Rights Coalitions in Europe Sofia, 28-30 April 2014 Overview The region, UNICEF s role & partnerships Making EU policies

More information

Good to know about EU Enlargement

Good to know about EU Enlargement NI-80-09-560-EN-C European Commission European Commission Directorate General for Enlargement Unit A2: Information and Communication Office address: Rue de la Loi 200, B-1049 Brussels Tel.: (+32 2) 295

More information

Strategic priority areas in the Foreign Service

Strategic priority areas in the Foreign Service 14/03/2018 Strategic priority areas in the Foreign Service Finland s foreign and security policy aims at strengthening the country's international position, safeguarding Finland's independence and territorial

More information

With this, a comprehensive and holistic regional approach can be ensured in the Western Balkans and Turkey.

With this, a comprehensive and holistic regional approach can be ensured in the Western Balkans and Turkey. INSTRUMENT FOR PRE-ACCESSION ASSISTANCE (IPA II) 2014-2020 MULTI-COUNTRY Regional support to protectionsensitive migration management in the Western Balkans and Turkey Action Summary The objective of the

More information

Brexit White Paper Summary

Brexit White Paper Summary 16 July 2018 Action: For information Prepared by: Patrick Brown, 020 7802 0108. pbrown@bpf.org.uk Economic Partnership Free Movement of Goods Arrangements 1. On the basis of the Chequers Agreement struck,

More information

THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA Report 2015 EU Enlargement Strategy

THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA Report 2015 EU Enlargement Strategy THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA Report 2015 EU Enlargement Strategy 1. POLITICAL CRITERIA Democracy: Shortcomings regarding elections, previously signalled by OSCE/ODIHR, and other suspicions,

More information

Mr. Petteri Orpo Minister of Finance of Finland Leader of Kokoomus, the National Coalition Party

Mr. Petteri Orpo Minister of Finance of Finland Leader of Kokoomus, the National Coalition Party 1(8) Mr. Petteri Orpo Minister of Finance of Finland Leader of Kokoomus, the National Coalition Party Your excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, good morning! First of all, I would like to thank you, Mr.

More information