The Challenges of EU Eastward Enlargement

The ten post-communist states that have applied to join the European Union have, by doing so, opted to follow a fairly precise model for their political and economic development. The EU has practised procedures for enlarging itself, and the current applicant states are also being measured against the “Copenhagen criteria” specifically established for the states of Central and Eastern Europe. Apart from the formal, technical conditions applicant states must meet, however, eastward enlargement of the EU depends on the willpower of those attempting to achieve it, and in this respect the agendas of the current Member States and the applicants differ markedly. Further, common post-communist legacies relating to the bureaucratic competence of Central and East European states complicate accession; their ability not only to harmonise their laws to those of the EU, but also to both implement and enforce legislation, is crucial.