British Support for the Widening of the European Union - Essay Example

BRITAIN’S SUPPORT FOR THE WIDENING OF THE EUROPEAN UNION Introduction The European Union (EU) has pursued widening and deepening as parallel objectives ever since its establishment without one being an impediment to the other. Economic and political integration such as the creation of a single market, common policies, and common currency has characterized the deepening of the European Union. Many scholars have noted that the block is more prosperous and safer today as a direct result of its gradual widening and parallel deepening. In spite of this fact, Britain has been in favour of the widening of the Union and in disfavour of its deepening. This paper will specifically address the issue of widening of the European Union, an issue that has to be agreed by the operational European Council. The main concern is why enlargement is supported by Britain and not deepening. The article will start by providing succinct definitions of “widening” and “deepening” before providing a link between the two concepts with respect to the EU. Finally the reason Britain supports the widening of the European Union as opposed to its deepening will be analyzed. The European Union Background The European Union, formerly known as the European Economic Community was formed to promote economic, social and political co-operation among its members according to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (2010). European Economic Community was established in 1957 as a regional economic agreement across six neighbouring states, and today, the union consists of twenty seven supranational countries located in Europe (Foreign & Commonwealth Office, 2010). The European Union was formed under the treaty of Maastricht in 1993 with the goal of achieving regional integration among European countries according to Number 10 (2004). The Union is a free trade association and operates more or less like an independent nation. For example, the Union has an anthem, flag, currency, founding date as well as a security policy. The Union’s decisions are based on negotiations among member states and may also depend on the rule of independent supranational institutions such as the European Commission, the European Council, and the European Central Bank. However, the Union’s main governing body is the European Council. Presently, the European Union is a single market, with uniform laws that apply to its member states and guarantee free movement of goods, capital, services and people from its member states (Number 10, 2004). A common currency, the euro, has been adopted by sixteen member states, which constitute the Euro zone. It also has common laws governing regional development, fisheries, and agriculture. Definitions of Widening and Deepening of the European Union Widening refers to bringing in additional states to the Union; it simply refers to the enlargement of the Union (Foreign & Commonwealth Office, 2010). European Union was formed to promote stability, prosperity and peace throughout its member states. This goal has been achieved through successful progress and inclusion of more countries in the body since the time when the union was formed. Initially, the notion of attaining stability and reconciliation through economic association could only be applicable to the states in Western Europe. Today, due to the Copenhagen criteria, access to the Union has been made universal. This therefore means that the European Union is subject to expansion in terms of membership, a scenario referred to as widening or enlargement Lippert, 2001). For a state to become a member of the European Union, it must agree to the terms of the Copenhagen criteria, formed by the European council at Copenhagen in 1993. These entail sound democracy, which respects the rule of law and human rights, operational market economy that is able to compete within the European Union and the approval of European Union’s membership obligations and laws. The Lisbon treaty was formed to provide the criteria to regulate leaving the Union (Lippert, 2001). Deepening of the EU on the other hand refers to the overall improvement of the European Union’s social standards among the member states. It is a process that is normally taken as a necessary step preceding enlargement. The main aim of deepening is to ensure that member states receive greater benefits through improved working procedures. Advantages of Widening the European Union The enlargement of the European Union to include other countries has become one of the major political issues facing the European Union, the obvious reason being that the enlargement will significantly affect the operations of the Union according to Lippert (2001). This, it is noted, could easily weaken the Union since its institutional structure was designed to govern the operations of its founding member states and might not be applicable to other interested members. Concerns about the impacts of enlargement have been aired out wide and loud. Before congregating for the 1996-7 intergovernmental conference, a specific European Council task force declared that the subsequent enlargement of the Union would provide greater opportunities for Europe as compared to the previous enlargements. This was in view of the numerous applications of the enlargement that would result from economic, social and political heterogeneity (Number 10, 2004). Some of the benefits of the enlargement include increase in complexity and diversity within the union. The main Community policies were reformed alongside the institutional laws to enable new member states enter the Union. Indeed the creation, development and growth of the European Union have freed its members from all forms of restrictions. There has been a remarkable progress since the development of the Union’s single market and its common rules whereby members have the freedom of access other member states. This has also allowed the free flow of goods and services throughout the Union hence opening up employment and economic opportunities that have changed the lives of many citizens in the member countries. The Schengen agreement removed checks on visitors and put a ban on the use of passports. As a result of this, more Europeans have been able to travel to neighbouring Union member countries during holidays to gain more professional qualifications. Furthermore, there are easier procedures when one is transporting goods from one country to the other. Yet again, consumer choice has been enlarged since there is a range of products to be traded on and prices are easily agreed on due to the common currency. The adoption of a common currency has also ensured financial stability and reduced business costs for member countries (Lippert, 2001) Britain’s Support for Widening of EU The European Union has for long been associated with great achievements that sometimes demands enlargement. No other region in the globe can compete with Europe’s success in banishing boundaries without altering the significance of national cultures, traditions and languages; its achievements are worthy of recognition (Number 10, 2004). One major reason people are reluctant in living and working in foreign countries is due to lack of social security such as inadequate health or employment cover. The European Union guarantees the protection of the welfare of the people working and living in the Union. Through widening of the EU other countries will also be able to enjoy the benefits of the union. For instance, the economies of the new countries will develop better due to the free flow of goods and services while at the same time people from different countries will have access to various employment opportunities. Therefore cases like unemployment will be greatly reduced. Furthermore, European Union is opposed to discrimination in places of work on the basis of sex, colour, race, religion, sexual orientation or handicap. It is one of the major forces working towards ending the ongoing discrimination and ensures equal opportunities for everyone. Therefore, by widening the European Union as desired by Britain, such vices will be highly minimized hence allowing freedom of association between different countries (Lippert, 2001) The common currency adopted by the member states will provide a suitable environment for business deals. This will allow countries to carry out businesses without having difficulties on the currencies while the presence of the common market will facilitate trade. According to Britain therefore, more members should be allowed into the Union so as to raise the economies of weaker states and provide a universal ground where people can freely interact and carry out businesses without restrictions (Lippert, 2001) Conclusion Since its formal establishment, the European Union has been enlarged at least six times to include 27 countries (Foreign & Commonwealth Office, 2010). In fact, the Union has indeed more than grown twice in its membership in its widening objective. The challenges associated with the widening of the European Union were tabled down in two intergovernmental conferences, and the results led to the formation of the Copenhagen criteria. The Copenhagen European Council provided the criteria for gaining membership in the European Union and stressed on the ability of the Union to incorporate new members, while upholding to its set standards. According to Britain, member states have benefited every time the EU is enlarged as the Union has continuously become more confident, stronger and more capable of playing in the global stage. According to the UK, certain wars may only be fought successfully through cross border cooperation. Some of these threats include terrorism, organised crime and climate change. Widening also invites richer and deeper cultural creativity and discussion. On the other hand, Britain argues that deepening of the union will restrict enlargement and slow down the progress towards improving the current conditions of the Union. References Foreign & Commonwealth Office (2010) Enlargement, retrieved 23rd March, 2010 http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/global-issues/institutions/britain-in-the-european-union/quick-guide-to-the-eu/eu-policies/enlargement/ Lippert B. (2001) British and German interests in EU enlargement: conflict and cooperation, The Royal Institute of Foreign Affairs. London. Number 10 (2004) Speech on EU enlargement and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (19/04/04), retrieved 23rd March, 2010 http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page5654 Read More