New challenges for the larger Europe

Swedish Liberal M.E.P. Cecilia Malmström reflects on how the European Union will cope with enlargement to twenty-five member states

After the Irish Yes in the Nice referendum and the decisions of the Brussels summit a few weeks ago, nothing now seems to stop the enlargement of the European Union. Unless anything very dramatic happens, the leaders of the Fifteen are well set to invite ten of the candidate countries to join in 2004, leaving the door open for Romania and Bulgaria a few years later.

The unification of Europe is truly an historic event, bringing the countries of the continent together for the first time ever through negotiations, compromises and treaties instead of weapons, aggression and war.

Enlargement is likely to be a process that is on-going for quite some time as other countries prepare to hand in their applications. This will bring about a quite different Europe. It has to be functional, efficient and democratic.

With up to thirty member states it is important to make sure that the EU is not transformed into a talking shop. The values and foundations of the European Union have to be maintained. That is why the works of the Convention are so important. The EU has to be reformed, and quite dramatically so, if we want if to work, deliver and still enjoy legitimacy and confidence from the citizens.

One important dimension of the enlargement is the development of the foreign, security and defence policy. By enlarging the Union we expand the European area of freedom, peace and democracy. This is the main argument for enlargement.

But enlargement means that the EU will also have new borders and new neigbours, such as Russia, Ukraine and the Balkans. The accession states already have bridges with these countries, and they will bring with them new energy and possibilities for the Union’s so-called ‘new-neighbour strategy’.

With many different opinions and voices, the common foreign policy will face a tough test. The EU has for long flattered itself with a foreign policy that is based on international cooperation, respect for treaties and organisations, as well as human rights. However, the only true moments when the EU seems to have a coordinated, coherent line is when it differs from the US. This is certainly not sustainable.

The enlargement will also be the moment to prove that our CFSP is more than only nice declarations. We need to develop a true, independent European foreign policy.

The EU needs to take further concrete steps on the division of labour between NATO and the European Rapid Reaction Force. A true long-term strategy for a security policy needs to be developed, within the framework peace-keeping. An enlarged EU will have an increasing need of energy from Russia, the Caucasus and the Middle East. Europe’s interest in promoting peace and stability might therefore increase.

Paradoxically, the fact of being 25 to 30 states can force the European Union to sharpen its profile and to make a real effort in finding common solutions. Because if we fail, what would then make us different from the Council of Europe?