Tag

Enlargement

All articles tagged with #enlargement

international-relations2 years ago

Public Opinion Divided on Ukraine's EU Membership Ahead of Key Summit

Europeans are generally open to the idea of Ukraine joining the EU, according to a survey conducted by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR). However, there is lukewarm support for the EU's enlargement to include Georgia and countries in the western Balkans. The survey also revealed economic and security concerns regarding Ukraine's potential membership. While there is considerable support for Ukraine's candidacy, there is widespread opposition to Turkey's accession. The summit this week will discuss the start of accession talks, but the debate on how to achieve enlargement has just begun.

politics2 years ago

Germany's Baerbock advocates for radical EU reform and Ukraine's EU membership advancement

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has called for bold reforms in the European Union (EU) as it prepares for expansion, proposing the abolition of the current system of assigning each country a commissioner. Baerbock also suggested amending the unanimity rule to prevent single member countries from vetoing EU initiatives. She emphasized the need for a more inclusive approach to enlargement, allowing accession countries to participate in EU advantages before becoming full members. Baerbock also advocated for improved coordination between the EU's foreign policy wing and the European Commission, as well as linking EU funds to rule-of-law standards.

european-union2 years ago

EU Leaders Gather in Granada to Address Enlargement, Migration, and Economic Security

European Union leaders are meeting in Granada to discuss issues such as enlargement, migration, and economic competitiveness. The summit comes after a pledge of support for Ukraine at the European Political Community summit. Enlargement remains a challenge for the bloc, with eight countries having official EU candidate status. EU Council President Charles Michel emphasized the need for reforms and preparation for new member countries. The leaders are expected to state that the future of aspiring members lies within the EU. The summit will also address immigration challenges, with southern EU nations seeking to implement changes to handle irregular immigration. However, Poland and Hungary expressed outrage at the planned changes, with Poland rejecting the admission of illegal immigrants and Hungary describing the proposed legislation as "legally raped."

international-relations2 years ago

The Price Tag of Ukraine's EU Accession: €186B

Integrating Ukraine into the European Union could cost around €186 billion in EU funds over seven years, according to an internal note of the Council of the EU. Enlarging the EU to include other countries would impose an additional burden of approximately €74 billion on the EU budget. The note highlights the opportunities and challenges of enlargement, including a larger internal market and more political clout, but also warns about issues such as the EU's farm budget, the rule of law, and decision-making capacity. Reforms to the EU budget would be necessary and far-reaching, and the European Commission emphasized the need for a wider rethink to prepare the EU for new members.

international-relations2 years ago

"Expanding the EU: New Countries Set to Join the Bloc"

European Union leaders will discuss the process of EU enlargement and the reform of the bloc at a summit in Granada. The list of countries that want to join the EU includes Turkey, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Moldova, Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, and Kosovo. While some countries have made progress in their accession talks, others face obstacles such as human rights concerns and disputes with neighboring countries. The EU has set a tentative deadline of 2030 for enlargement.

international-relations2 years ago

BRICS Expansion: Russia's Prospects and Perils

The recent expansion of the BRICS bloc to include Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates presents both opportunities and challenges for Russia. While the enlargement could provide new opportunities for bilateral cooperation, it is unlikely to strengthen BRICS' influence on the global stage. The new members have diverse foreign policy objectives, and their inclusion may further narrow the bloc's scope for agreement. Additionally, the potential benefits for Russia are limited, as these countries are not major trade or investment partners. Despite this, an expanded BRICS adds weight to Russia's rhetoric of standing against the West, aligning with its vision of a multipolar world.

european-union2 years ago

"EU's Expansion: Charles Michel Urges Readiness for New Members by 2030"

European Council President Charles Michel has called for the European Union to be ready for enlargement by 2030, stating that "enlargement is no longer a dream." While eight countries hold candidate status, the accession process has stalled for many in the Western Balkans. Michel emphasized that enlargement should be a merit-based process, requiring adherence to rule of law, economic standards, and foreign policy alignment with Brussels. He also suggested that the EU's long-term budget and institutional framework should consider enlargement goals. However, the challenge lies in convincing Europeans of the enlargement project and ensuring their support.

international-relations2 years ago

The Evolution of NATO: From Soviet Aggression to Ukraine's Impact

NATO membership is a multi-step process that involves accession talks, signing of accession protocols, and ratification by member governments. Countries interested in joining NATO must meet certain requirements and commit to political, legal, military, and security reforms. The military budget of NATO is funded by member contributions based on a cost-sharing formula. Currently, only eight countries meet the guideline of allocating 2% of their GDP to defense spending. There are 22 countries that are members of both the European Union and NATO, while five EU countries are not part of the military alliance. Ukraine has expressed its desire to join NATO, but the lack of a specific time frame for membership has been criticized.