2016年-CEPS欧洲政策研究中心_The_EUs_Enlargement_Strategy_–_Is_it_working_4页_381kb

The EU's Enlargement Strategy – Is it working?

Core Content

The document "The EU's Enlargement Strategy – Is it working?" by Erwan Fouéré, published on 1 December 2016, evaluates the effectiveness of the European Union's enlargement policy. It highlights a mixed picture of reform progress among candidate countries, with some showing significant efforts and others experiencing serious backsliding.

Main Points

• Mixed Reform Progress:
  The European Commission's reports on the seven countries seeking EU membership show a lack of consistent reform efforts. Albania is the exception, with positive recognition of judicial reforms and a recommendation to open accession negotiations. However, other countries like Macedonia and Turkey have seen a decline in democratic standards and rule of law.

• Negative Developments:
  The document points to several concerning trends in candidate countries:

  • Political instability and state capture in Macedonia.
  • Erosion of democratic values and freedom of expression in Turkey.
  • The arrest of opposition Kurdish MPs, which undermines democratic processes.
  • Weak parliamentary traditions and judicial independence.
  • Control of media by ruling elites and harassment of civil society organizations.
  • High unemployment, especially among youth, driving emigration and discontent.

• Effectiveness of the Strategy:
  While the EU's enlargement strategy has historically contributed to stability and peace in the region, its current effectiveness is questioned. The strategy is criticized for being too weak in addressing systemic issues, such as the rule of law and democratic backsliding, which threaten the sustainability of the stability it has achieved.

• EU's Credibility and Internal Challenges:
  The document notes that the EU itself has faced internal crises, such as the migration crisis and populist rhetoric, which have weakened its credibility and commitment to enlargement. Populist and Eurosceptic parties have criticized the enlargement agenda, and even mainstream parties have downplayed its benefits to avoid alienating voters.

• Annual Country Reports:
  The Commission has made efforts to improve the clarity and usability of annual country reports, which are part of the yearly enlargement package. These reports focus on key areas such as:

  • Rule of law and judicial reforms.
  • Fundamental rights and democratic institutions.
  • Public administration reform.
  • Economic development and competitiveness.

  However, the timing of these reports is changing, moving from autumn to spring, which may reduce the pressure on candidate countries and signal a lower priority for enlargement.

Key Recommendations

• Stronger Follow-Up and Monitoring:
  The EU needs a more forceful and consistent approach to monitor and follow up on the reforms outlined in the annual reports. This includes speaking out clearly when governments fail to meet their commitments.

• Use of EU Tools:
  The Commission should utilize tools such as cutting off development and pre-accession assistance or suspending meetings with recalcitrant governments to emphasize the responsibilities of candidate countries.

• Support for Civil Society:
  Civil society organizations should be supported systematically to enhance accountability. This is especially important during political crises, where the EU needs to facilitate dialogue between political parties and civil society.

• Inclusion of Civil Society in Decision-Making:
  Governments should be held accountable for failing to consult civil society in policy-making. This should be a specific condition of the accession process.

Conclusion

The document argues that while the EU's enlargement strategy has had positive effects, its current implementation lacks the necessary determination and creativity to address the deepening challenges in candidate countries. A more proactive and transparent approach is needed to ensure that the enlargement process remains relevant and effective in promoting stability, democracy, and prosperity in Europe.