Deepening or Enlargement
Still, there are very strong voices in European politics who do not want EU enlargement before a so-called deepening in many areas takes place. A commentary by Karl von Habsburg.
When, in a few weeks, Austria takes over the presidency of the European Council, many eyes in the countries of Southeast Europe will be on Vienna. Following the recent “Western Balkans Summit” in Sofia (in EU jargon, the Western Balkans refers to those countries in Southeast Europe that are not yet EU members), the region expects concrete further steps of support from Austria.
All statements by Austrian politicians also indicate a desire to support the ambitions of the Southeast European countries. However, one must remain realistic on this issue. There are still very strong voices in the EU that pit enlargement against a so-called deepening, and do not want to admit new countries until certain policy areas are harmonised.
This rejection of enlargement and this pitting of enlargement against deepening is a dangerous political error. For there are other actors in world politics who push into every vacuum that Europe leaves behind. Enlargement policy must also be viewed from the perspective of security policy. It is precisely in Southeast Europe that these errors are evident in a small area. One only needs to consider the influence of Russia, Turkey, or even Saudi Arabia in the region. The longer Europe holds back, the stronger non-European influences will become.
The objection often raised here is that enlargement is too expensive, that it costs something. This is a very one-dimensional view that ignores essential aspects. Even if one only considers the economic side and the costs, one must consider the costs of a zone of instability – and the policies of non-European countries create instability in Austria’s neighbourhood. The higher the democratic and rule of law standards, the better it is for Europe, the more attractive it becomes to invest in the region and thus create prosperity. The politicians of the Southeast European countries also know that they are undertaking reforms not for the EU, but for their own countries.
A dedicated finance minister for the Eurozone or a separate budget and a separate parliament for the Eurozone countries, as repeatedly demanded by, for example, French President Emmanuel Macron, is not that important. Politicians in the EU member states could ensure financial stability even without these new institutions – if only they wanted to. However, the EU can only ensure stability in its neighbourhood if clear European interests are represented. And this unequivocally includes the admission of the Southeast European countries into the European Union.
The article originally appeared on Karl von Habsburg‘s website.
Feature image: c European Union 2015
