This innovative volume analyzes historical, strategic and domestic political influences on the character and dynamics of the European Union's eastern enlargement. Its main focus is on interactions between Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary, in political-diplomatic, commercial-economic and socio-cultural fields. The book also examines the wider European and international contexts to show that as enlargement advanced, we also witnessed an increase in the potential for conflict among EU members, old and new. Steve Wood provides an eclectic and topical appraisal, which identifies the German state as the crucial actor in both the enlargement venture and parallel processes of bilateral reconciliation. The book is recommended to those with interests in contemporary Germany, Central and Eastern Europe, and European integration.

What will happen to the EU in the wake of enlargement? What are the institutional and policy-making changes in light of enlargement? This book, newly available in paperback, deals with the theoretical, conceptual and historical processes that led to European Union enlargement. It discusses the effects of enlargement on selected European Union policies (agriculture, single market, foreign, security and defence policy, immigration), and looks at the effect of the institutional reforms that were made at Amsterdam and Nice, as well as considering the significance of the debates on the Constitution. It contains chapters by leading European scholars from both sides of the Atlantic. The chapters report current research and employ a variety of methodological and theoretical perspectives. This book is unique in looking at the issues that the EU faces in the aftermath of Eastern enlargement.

Seminar paper from the year 2004 in the subject Business economics - Economic Policy, grade: 2,3 (B), Leeds Metropolitan University, course: EU Policy & Business, language: English, abstract: 1. Introduction For many centuries Europe was torn by the antagonism of power. During the world wars a united Europe seemed like an inconceivable illusion. But utopia became reality. Now, 15 years after the fall of the Berliner wall Eastern countries are joining the European Union. The EU enlargement on 1 May could be the beginning of a modern fairy tale. On this day the European Union opened its doors to another 75 million people from the 10 new member states of southern Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. Never before in its long history has Europe been more united than nowadays. (Warren, 2004) With a total population of approximately 450 million people the EU has created the world`s largest single market which will have a enormous impact on the world market as well as on the markets of the old member states. (MDR, 2004) The EU enlargement obviously impacts the established political order of the EU, however it is now - despite doubtlessly existent risks - broadly seen as a great chance in a political, economical and also very much in a cultural way. There has been a big discussion involving all different levels of society and politics about where this is going - and where it will all end. (Wallendorf, 2004) This work will focus on Germany as an old member of the European Union and examine the extent to which the benefits of the 2004 enlargement outweigh the disadvantages. Due to the word limitation the major issues will be mentioned but the attention will focus more on the implication for the German economy, although the issues sometimes interact each other it is not always possible to separate them. The agriculture sector will be left out of consideration. The pictures used in this report are taken from the official homepage of the German Government and the European Commission. [...]

Fully revised and updated this fourth edition is a comprehensive introduction to the politics of the Irish republic. Includes coverage of the 1997 general election, and the creation of a new coalition of Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats under Bertie Ahern that year. Examines the implications of a written constitution, changes in the party system, the power of major interest groups, the role of the civil service, the position of the media and membership of the European union. Places the Republic in its international political context, examining its relationship with Britain and the United States and includes full coverage of recent developments such as the Good Friday Agreement and the 'Celtic Tiger' economy. Reflecting recent developments in Irish politics, the book now has an entire chapter devoted to political corruption.

European Union Enlargement offers an intense and detailed analysis of the almost ten-year process of preparing and negotiating the accession of Eastern, Southeastern, and Central European countries, as well as Mediterranean countries to the European Union. In the end, ten joined in 2004, with two more to follow in 2007. European Union Enlargement was written by two diplomats who were directly involved in that process. Sajdik and Schwarzinger relate their first-hand experience of proceedings that occurred behind closed doors. They detail how the vision of adding some countries gradually developed into the concrete policy intended to enlarge the European Union. A special chapter explains the Accession Process as well as the Union's strategy that prepared the candidate countries, in legal and economic terms, for membership. The authors describe in detail the complex negotiations that occurred from 1998 to 2002. These include activities of EU member states as well as the European Commission with respect to the candidate countries. They further offer a brief analysis of future possibilities of EU-accession by Balkan nations and Turkey. A number of topical chapters deal with particular key issues involved in the process: free movement of workers, agriculture, financing of the enlargement, transport, and nuclear safety. Other chapters deal with the enclave of Kaliningrad as well as the Stability and Association Pact for South East Europe. In addition to providing key information about the process, this volume is also a case study of European policies and diplomatic practice. The enlargement negotiations from 1998 to 2002 were the most complex ones the European Union had ever conducted. In consequence, this work gives insight into the working methods of both the institutions in Brussels and of the representatives of the member states that made them a success. It will be of interest to those concerned with European politics, international organizations, and area studies.