The European Commission believes that: “A credible enlargement policy is a

geostrategic investment in peace, stability, security and economic growth in the whole
of Europe.” What are the grounds for believing this? Do you agree that EU enlargement
boosts regional security?

The European Commission functions as the executive branch of the European Union (EU), it plays an
integral role in shaping the policies and future direction of the Union. It is “responsible for drawing
up proposals for new European legislation, and it implements the decisions of the European
Parliament and the Council of the EU” (european-union.europa.eu, n.d.). Beyond its legislative
duties, it manages the EU’s daily operation wielding influence across Europe, not just over its
member states, as other European nations are significantly impacted by EU policies. Another key
function involves managing the EU's enlargement, a strategy it describes as “a geostrategic
investment in peace, stability, security, and economic growth in the whole of Europe.”

This essay will examine the statement ‘The European Commission believes that: “A credible
enlargement policy is a geostrategic investment in peace, stability, security and economic growth in
the whole of Europe.”’ Enlargement is the process by which new members are added to the EU, this
can be done for numerous reasons however the “EU’s enlargement policy aims to unite European
countries in a common political and economic project.” With the European Parliament claiming the
enlargement “has proved to be one of the most successful tools in promoting political, economic and
social reforms, and in consolidating peace, stability and democracy across the continent” (European
Parliament, 2019). This essay will analyse this claim and will critically examine the policy's
effectiveness as a strategy tasked with increasing peace, economic growth, stability and security
across Europe.

The EU was created in the aftermath of Word War 2, with the aim initially being to end “the frequent
and bloody conflicts that culminated in the Second World War” (European Union, 2022). This led to
the formation of the ‘European Coal and Steel Community’ (ECSC), which was founded in 1951, this
can be considered the first iteration of what would then become the EU. This community was
established not only to improve post-war relations but also in order to “establish a common basis for
economic development, which is the first step for a European federation” (Bebr, 1953, p.2),
highlighting that economic development and peace have always been central to any version of a
‘European federation’. The community initially consisted of six countries: France, West Germany,
Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Following the formation of the ECSC, the ‘Treaties
of Rome’ created the European Economic Community (EEC) and Euratom which furthered economic
cooperation, this is also where the first enlargement took place with Ireland, Denmark and the
United Kingdom joining the EEC. In the following years Greece, Spain and Portugal all joined the EEC
which served as the final enlargement before the Maastricht Treaty was signed in 1992, which can be
considered the official beginning of the European Union. This treaty marked a shift from what was
formally a community rooted in economic cooperation into a union which had the following
objectives: “promote economic and social progress”, “strengthen the protection of the rights and
interests of the nationals of its Member States” and to “continue the process of creating an ever-
closer union among the peoples of Europe” (Europa.eu, 1992). Since then the EU has enlarged
numerous times with the largest enlargement including ten new countries, currently the EU consists
of 27 countries.
The quote, “A credible enlargement policy is a geostrategic investment in peace, stability, security
and economic growth in the whole of Europe.” Originates from the ‘2020 Communication on EU
Enlargement Policy’ a document by the European Commission outlining the EU's enlargement
strategies and policies for 2020. For a thorough analysis of the EU’s enlargement policy and its
implications on European security, the policy itself must be examined.

Any country hoping to become part of the EU must satisfy the conditions for membership, these
conditions are known as the ‘Copenhagen criteria’ and include having “a stable democracy and the
rule of law, a functioning market economy and the acceptance of all EU legislation, including of the
euro” (European Union, n.d.). The EU’s ‘credible’ enlargement policy is in place to ensure new
members uphold, economic stability, democratic values, and legal harmonization, aiming to maintain
the Union's integrity and promote regional peace and security. In December 2006 the European
Council agreed on a “‘renewed consensus on enlargement’, based on ‘consolidation, conditionality
and communication’” (European Parliament, 2019). This policy shift reflects a more stringent
adherence to existing criteria with political factors such as freedom of expression and functioning
democratic institutions being considered more important than previously. The main conditions of the
EU’s enlargement policy, as defined by the Copenhagen criteria include the presence of stable
institutions that uphold human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Aspiring members must
possess a functioning market economy capable of handling the competitive pressures of the EU
market, ensuring seamless economic integration without disruption. Furthermore, candidate
countries are required to adopt and enforce the EU's laws and regulations, aligning them with the
Union's existing standards and policies. They must also demonstrate adequate administrative and
institutional capacity to effectively implement and uphold EU laws. And finally, the EU must be able
to integrate new members while maintaining its own momentum of integration.

However, despite there being clear criteria and conditions, there is “no precise ‘Community acquis’”
(Sotiris, n.d. ,p.10), which leads to the ‘credibility’ of the EU’s enlargement policy to be called into
question. This lack of consistency leads to there being subjectivity and opinion when setting and
enforcing standards, this casts a doubt upon the policy’s integrity and credibility. These
inconsistencies challenge both, the policy’s role as a geostrategic tool, and its ability to impartially
evaluate would-be members in an impartial manner leading to scepticism regarding the process’s
transparency. Furthermore, this inconsistency in applying standards can undermine the European
Commission's claim that enlargement is a ‘geostrategic investment in peace, stability, security and
economic growth’. There being “no precise ‘Community acquis’” (Sotiris, n.d. ,p.10) raises concern
about the EU’s commitment to its principles and the fairness of the accession process, which could
lead to discord and mistrust, thus impacting the EU’s role in promoting regional stability and security.
The EU’s enlargement has been underpinned by the foundational ideology of the Single Market
which has served as a crucial driver of economic growth across Europe, embodying the liberalist
principles of open markets, interdependence and cooperation. The EU makes up “the world’s largest
single market area” (European Union, n.d.), and has shaped how its member's economies operate
allowing freedom of movement for goods, services, labour and capital which greatly benefits its
members. The unification of numerous economies in one single market embodies the liberal view
that economic interdependence among states is a key driver of peace, stability and security, with a
report by (Dahlberg, 2015, p.3) noting that the “European single market, [was] created and
maintained to improve the economic performance of Europe”, which exemplifies the liberal thought
that open markets and free trade are key to both economic growth and political stability, which
ultimately boosts regional security.

Studies back up that the EU and its single market have led to economic growth with Dohlberg’s
findings indicating “that the single market has had a significant positive impact on European GDP”
(Dahlberg, 2015, p.3) showing how broader participation in the market leads to greater economic
growth. Furthermore, another study has found that “EU enlargement significantly contributed to
economic growth of the CEE-10 countries” (Rapacki and Próchniak, 2009, p.19). This illustrates that
enlargement has not only aided the countries joining greatly but also fostered economic convergence
among member states, leading to increased regional stability. Expanding on this, the Central and
Eastern Europe (CEE) region saw “a remarkable surge in foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, from
US$30 billion to US$155 billion between 2003 and 2008” (tutor2u, 2015). This huge increase in FDI
demonstrates the heightened economic activity and investment opportunities created by an
expanded unified market, further reinforcing that the EU’s expansion positively effects economic
growth and stability across Europe. One of the reasons an expanded market is a driver of economic
growth is the concept of economies of scale. This is evident in the EU as enlargement leads to a
larger market which benefits its members, this can be seen when looking at the increase in British
exports to Poland which more then doubled following Poland’s accension in 2004 (tutor2u,
2015).These statistics not only show the direct economic benefits of EU enlargement, but also
resonate with liberal thought, highlighting broader geopolitical implications. Through elevating the
economic wellbeing of its members, the EU is bolstering regional security through shared prosperity
and interconnectedness. This approach aligns with liberal ideals which emphasise the stabilising
influence of economic integration and cooperation further legitimising the European Commission’s
belief that enlargement is key to achieving a more stable secure Europe.

The enlargement of the EU greatly affects the region's security, with every new state being added
fundamentally shaping the security landscape in Europe. Through integrating new members, the EU
is extending its zone of stability, peace and power. This is a core concept in the EU’s foundational
principles as they want to ensure that Europe remains a peaceful place and that the wars and
divisions of the past don’t reoccur. This can be evidenced when looking at the EU's eastward
enlargement of the Eastern states with Moravcsik and Vachudova claiming this eastward expansion is
“perhaps most important single policy instrument available to build a more stable and prosperous
continent”. Incorporating these states into the EU wasn’t just a geographical extension, but a
strategic move that aimed to stabilise the continent and democratise a historically volatile region.
However, the EU’s enlargement isn’t viewed as a positive by all states. When looking at the eastward
enlargement from a realist perspective it can be seen as a ‘power play’ with the EU encroaching
upon Russia’s traditional sphere of influence. This encroachment manifested in Russia responding to
this perceived threat by annexing Crimea and later invading Ukraine to reassert regional dominance.
This juxtaposition in how the enlargement is viewed is explained well by Margriet Drent’s
observation that "Russia continues to live in a Lockean anarchical system of rivalry with a zero-sum
game rationale" while the EU operates under a "Kantian system of friendship and mutual trust"
illustrates the stark contrast in their respective security paradigms” (Drent, 2012, p.7 ). This
difference in outlook is further exacerbated when considering the EU’s ‘post-modern’ approach to
security, wherein they reject force aiming to resolve conflict with transparency and mutual openness
(Cooper, 2003, p.22) opposes directly to Russia’s very traditional, realist, outlook on security
concerned with hard power. The EU have attempted to align its normative goals with Russia’s
strategic mindset through the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. However, this has been
unsuccessful in promoting regional security with Russia demonstrating the challenges in aligning
diverse security priorities. The unresolved tension between these two entities shows the difficulty in
the EU balancing the promotion of their values with the geopolitical realities of expansion into
Eastern Europe. This demonstrates that while the EU has positive intentions, aiming to boost regional
security, it must carefully consider which states can join considering the varied political and security
contexts in eastern Europe.

A key aspect of how the EU’s enlargement policy effects regional security is the role the Schengen
area plays. The Schengen area is a zone of 26 countries, mostly EU states, with abolished internal
borders to allow for the free movement of people. As the EU enlarges, the positives of this are this
allows for a more integrated Europe with more consistent border control while also allowing for
easier movement of both goods and people which can bolster economic stability across the
continent. However, by introducing more countries into the EU, and by proxy the Schengen area,
there is a higher risk of allowing dangerous people to enter the EU, this can be seen when in “2015,
more than 868,000 persons entered into the Schengen area irregularly through this section of the
external border”, (Jeffray, n.d, p.12). Allowing the free movement of people may cause “the
Schengen ‘bubble’ [to] be exploited by criminals, terrorists and irregular migrants” (Jeffray, n.d, p.10)
which negatively affects security across the EU. The enlargement of the Schengen area can be seen
as a double-edged sword as it requires stringent external border management and effective security
protocols. The enlargement of the EU and therefore by proxy the Schengen area could potentially
lead to a more integrated Europe, with the freedom of movement and goods allowing for increased
trade and therefore economic growth. However, this requires careful management of security risks
as expanded borders and increased mobility could lead to security issues due to the introduction of
potential threats.

In a paper by James C. Prowse he characterises the EU’s enlargement strategy by its reliance on soft
power mechanisms and “incentive-based policy” (Prowse, 2021, p.4). These strategies are key to the
EU’s efforts to integrate new members while keeping their core values of democracy, rule of law and
human rights. By enlarging and bringing new states into the institutional framework the EU is
essentially ‘exporting’ these values across the continent enhancing cooperation, peace and political
stability, all of which bolster security in Europe. This is exemplified in the EU’s eastward enlargement,
with Moravcsik and Vachudova describing this as “perhaps the most important single policy
instrument available to build a more stable and prosperous continent.” (Moravcsik and Vachudova,
2003, p.21) The reason this expansion was so significant in allowing for a more peaceful secure
Europe is that it offered Eastern European countries, previously under Soviet influence and struggling
with instability, a pathway to economic and democratic reform. This expansion extended the EU’s
‘zone of peace’, which aligns with democratic peace theory which posits democracies are less prone
to conflict, leading to increased security across Europe.

As briefly mentioned previously the EU prefer to utilise soft power tactics over military intervention,
once more demonstrating how EU policies mirror liberal institutionalism. The EU’s approach of
favouring political dialogue and multilateralism can be evidenced when looking at how they handled
the annexation of Crimea and the migration issue. They offered humanitarian aid and made a deal
with Turkey to alleviate the migration crisis and condemned Russia implementing economic
sanctions upon them when they annexed Crimea. As the EU enlarges, it extends this philosophy of
cooperation to its new members. This spread of democratic values and soft power solutions can lead
to enhanced regional security through a collective and unified approach to international conflicts.
Introducing more members to this framework of soft power and institutional cooperation reinforces
the overall security structure of the region. The EU’s commitment to soft power and cooperative
problem-solving may be an underutilisation of a potential benefit enlargement offers. Enlargement
provides increased resources and therefore greater hard power capabilities. By adhering to soft
power, the EU is missing an opportunity to leverage its immense hard power for a stronger security
framework. By integrating a balance of soft and hard powers the EU’s ability to address immediate
threats could be enhanced which could lead to even greater security across Europe. Overall,
enlargement does positively impact regional security, however by capitalising on their full range of
resources, namely the utilisation of hard power, the EU’s enlargement could lead to even greater
regional security.

According to constructivist theory, the EU expansion isn’t merely a territorial expansion, it's also
about exporting the EU’s values and norms into new areas. This can be evidenced as members
wanting to join must attempt to adhere to the Copenhagen criteria which extends the EU’s principles
upon members wanting to join. During periods following enlargement the EU’s foreign policy shifts
aiming to address new realities and challenges this expansion has caused, often trying to advance
peace and democracy around the region. This is exemplified by the EU’s European Neighbourhood
Policy (ENP) which aims to "develop a zone of prosperity and a friendly neighbourhood” (Holm,
2005, p.16) surrounding the EU, which should lead to peace and mitigated conflict and instability
overall boosting regional security.

However, for the EU to successfully integrate a variety of political, cultural and economic entities into
their framework and align them with their values requires skilful management of intricate
geopolitical dynamics. The capacity of these policies to work, and truly improve the regional security
is dependent on how well the EU navigates these dynamics but also how willing neighbouring
countries are to adopt and put the EU’s principles in practice. The ENP exemplifies the EU’s attempt
at spreading the benefits of enlargement across Europe. It must be noted that different countries
engage with the EU’s ENP to varying extents depending on their own reform progress which
introduces added complexity to the EU’s foreign relations. This “variable geometry” (Holm, 2005,
p.19) creates a “twisted ring” of friends around the EU with different states aligning themselves with
the EU to varying extents. This demonstrates the complexity of assessing the impacts of EU
enlargement on regional security. There are factors out of the EU’s control and success hinges on
how the EU manages geopolitical issues and other countries responses. The extent to which EU
enlargement boosts regional security rests on how effectively the EU is in integrating new members
and fostering cooperation within its security framework, this is why a truly credible enlargement
policy is key to successful enlargement.