EU and the implications of enlargement

After dealing with space matters, the European seminars landed back on EU and Planet Earth with an impressive lecture given by Dr. Bernard Bot, former foreign minister and long-time Dutch Permanent Representative to the EU.  Apart from being a charismatic speaker, he served as diplomat around the globe, was representative of the Netherlands in the EU for more than 10 years, and foreign minister in the last Dutch government, so he had plenty of valuable first hand experience to share. The focus of his lecture was double-sided – the current state of affairs in the EU and the topic of enlargement with various issues related to it.

Dr. Bot first explained that the EU is unique and successful international organization because its idealistic basis of common values and ideas is coupled with the interacting sovereignty of member states. He pointed out the current trend of “re-nationalisation” in EU discourse and explained it as a consequence of the economic crisis which drives people back to the “safe haven” of national states. He also underlined the myth of Brussels as an “octopus” taking over more and more national competences.  Dr. Bot argued against the classical dilemma of widening vs. deepening and stated that these are two directions of EU integration to be followed simultaneously. Further on, the role of “Mr/Ms. Europe” – the President of the EU Council, was discussed and it was clearly pointed out that he/she is as powerful as is his/her mandate from member states is. Dr. Bot traced the European Council back to its roots as an informal policy process and argued that currently there is a revival of this informal meeting fashion between the heads of states. Since the ratification of the Lisbon treaty was the hot topic of these days, there was lively discussion to the extent of which it deepens European integration. He explained in detail its implications for the foreign policy role of the EU, as well as the new equilibrium to be achieved between the EC institutions.

The second part of the lecture focused on enlargement, from the unique personal perspective of Mr. Bot. He pointed out that ever since the EU of the 6, it looked as if the absolute border of enlargement is reached, but this is disproven by today’s EU of 27. He explained some informal decision-making systems which ensure the normal functioning of the enlarged Union. He expressed his opinion concerning the strategy of the EU in the negotiations with Turkey and underlined that there should be a consistent approach, not a “hot-cold” attitude. Also, he put emphasis on the fact that the same yardstick should be applied both to Turkey and the Western Balkan candidate countries.

Further on, Dr. Bot gave a short review of the energy policy of the Union following its historical development since the ECSC and Euratom, up to the current concerns for security of supply, internal competition, sustainable energy sources and environmental protection. He underlined the importance of the two-check approach, consisting of market liberalisation and common European energy policy.

After the presentation followed lively debate focusing on the interrelations between enlargement and energy policy with special attention to the situation of Ukraine and the perspective of Turkish accession. Other topics that were touched upon were the imitation of the EU system by other international organizations and the future of Europe in the 21st century.

(Melina Boneva, MA-EUS Student 2009-10