SP International :: Goals

A better Europe starts now

Chapter 4

The size of the European Union

Since the fall of Communist-led governments in the east of Europe enlargement of the EU in an easterly direction has been seen primarily all as the last act of the Cold War. The desire in the west of Europe for a quick celebration of the victory over the east took precedence over all sorts of practical obstacles, such as the consequences of differences in economic and governmental traditions. The EU's increasing meddlesomeness, an approach which might function within the smaller context of a few neighbouring states, but which was much more difficult when it came to a broad cooperation involving almost the whole of Europe, also went unmentioned. In the eastern countries EU membership was seen as the miracle cure for economic backwardness, disputes between neighbours, ethnic conflict, environmental degradation and the lack of democracy. This combination of circumstances led in 2004 to the biggest ever enlargement of the EU, taking its membership in a single step from fifteen to twenty-five states.

Even after enlargement and the impending accession of Bulgaria and Romania, the EU embraces just half of Europe's states. Further enlargement figures in the past and recent expectations of the governments and peoples of the western Balkans, in Turkey and in the countries which belonged to the Soviet Union but which which are now separated from Russia, such as Moldavia and the Ukraine.

The 'big bang' enlargement of 2004 created enormous problems for the Union both in terms of policy and of internal organisation which when Romania and Bulgaria join on 1st January 2007 can only become greater. It's a matter, amongst other things, of how the relatively weak economies of the ten new member states should be integrated into the world's biggest internal free market. In this context, the free movement of workers presents one of the biggest challenges. Despite restrictive measures, around 100,000 workers from central and eastern Europe are working, legally or illegally, in the Netherlands, most of them from Poland. In the near future a new wave of cheap labour could overwhelm our labour market. Workers from the new EU member states are welcome, but we must protect both them and ourselves from exploitation and ensure that the labour market in the Netherlands and the climate for small businesses are not subject to disruption. In addition, account must be taken of the fact that large groups of people migrating as a result of economic need can have adverse consequences for, amongst other things, social stability. At the same time, the EU has a responsibility towards the new member states. The prospect of membership was for many countries a stimulant towards democratic and economic reforms, respect for human rights and the rule of law. Now that these countries are EU members, this responsibility has not gone away. These member states must continue to receive help in reaching the democratic, social and economic levels of the old member states. Cherry-picking of the eastern European newcomers by the western European member states, by, for example, the large-scale import of highly educated or skilled workers, must be prevented.

As a result of the problems occasioned by the enlargement of 2004, public support for further enlargement has fallen strongly. The accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Union has taken place against public opposition. The situation in the candidate member states as well as the consequences of enlargement for the old member states is strengthening the need to take a more critical view of enlargement of the Union. The combination of 'deepening' (whereby the EU is acquiring ever more power and competences) and 'widening' (whereby ever more countries become members) can no longer be maintained.

In the short term, further enlargement of the Union would be inadvisable. The Union must first be slimmed down and reformed. Enlargement through accession of the three remaining candidates – Croatia, Turkey and Macedonia – need not be rushed. The problems relating to these countries must first of all be resolved. Other European countries should not in the short term be granted candidate member status. Countries bordering the EU can have a relationship with the Union via the European Neighbourhood Policy. This 'neighbourhood policy' should not be aimed at subordinating these countries to the EU's interests or those of corporations from EU countries, but must instead contribute to facilitating and speeding up their development to a comparable level. We reject the idea of a 'b-membership' of second class states, in favour of better cooperation with non-member states, which we applaud.

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PROPOSALS FOR A MORE BALANCED EUROPEAN UNION

Enlargement of the criteria for accession

Countries wishing to join the European Union should be required to adhere strictly to the Copenhagen Criteria. According to these criteria a future member state must be a stable democracy which guarantees the rule of law, the honouring of human rights and the protection of minorities. In addition, the candidate must embrace the common rules and legislation of the EU and have a functioning market economy. This is important because a new member state must be able to cope with free competition within the European market. Absorption capacity was also included in the Copenhagen Criteria, but in the past this has been neglected. In the future this criterion must be given much more weight. In our opinion this would include judging whether the institutions of the EU, the member states and the people of the member states are ready for further enlargement. Only after the Council has determined that it appears in practical terms that all criteria have been perfectly fulfilled, should an accession date be named and the ratification process in the different member states begin.

Referenda on future enlargements

Research occasioned by the referendum on the European Constitution demonstrated that enlargement by ten new member states was for many people too rapid and too great a step. In order to involve the public more in Europe and prevent the further erosion of support for the EU, it is necessary that citizens be given a voice in such far-reaching decisions. The people of the Netherlands must be able to participate via a binding referendum in decisions over proposed enlargements. Such a referendum should take place only if and when the candidate member state fulfils the Copenhagen Criteria.

More financial support for poorer member states

Many member states have profited from their accession to the European Union. The poorer EU member states, however, continue to lag behind and should therefore be given more support in order to bring their economies and social conditions up to a desirable level. The EU structural funds should be available exclusively to these countries. At the same time these member states must be given the possibility to prevent a brain-drain..

Regulate free movement of workers

The unrestricted movement of labour from new EU member states will be disruptive. Employees from these countries will be exploited, while Dutch employees will be displaced and small businesses forced from the market. We should therefore not open our borders further until we have laid down some limits, putting matters in order in the Netherlands by clamping down on illegal work, guaranteeing equal pay and ensuring that people currently jobless, including those with disabilities, are found work. Anyone who wants to work in the Netherlands must be willing to do so according to Dutch law and Dutch regulations. An authority must be created to ensure that foreign workers are extended all the rights and granted all the conditions specified in the legally-binding collective labour agreements (CAOs) which are the norm in most sectors of the Dutch economy. Heavy fines must be used to counteract the advantages to employers of exploitation. Language requirements should also be imposed on anyone seeking a work permit, especially in sectors such as building and production work where it is necessary from a safety point of view for workers to be able to communicate. And now that the difference between an employee and a self-employed person has become ever more vague, it would be fair if any self-employed person who has no employees were required to fulfil every aspect of labour law. Employment agencies must also be better regulated, beginning with the reintroduction of a system of licensing.

For the moment, no enlargement in the Balkans

Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia-Montenegro have set their sights on EU accession, but have as yet not gained the status of candidate member states. The prospect of membership often acts as a stimulus for democratic and economic reform, respect for human rights and the rule of law. In this way the EU is exporting stability, which can only be a good thing. Promises once made should be followed up, if doubt is not to be cast on the credibility of the Union and of the Netherlands. But the pressure to become a candidate for membership in the shortest possible time is also leading to overhasty economic reforms and social deterioration. It must, moreover, be ensured that the Union does not import instability. The lack of support for enlargement among the people in the existing member states could lead to just that. Therefore, while it is important to allow these countries to maintain the prospect of membership, further steps in the direction of full membership are for the time being out of the question. The EU must use its funds to support development in these aspirant member states, while keeping them at a distance. In this way these countries can undergo development to the point at which they really are ready for the EU, and the EU ready for them. Experience shows that countries carry out reforms more quickly and easily in the runup to accession than they do after they become members.

[ Summary - The debate on Europe is on its way! - European cooperation – a good idea - A more democratic Europe - A slimmed-down Europe - The size of the European Union - A fruitful agricultural policy - An affordable European Union ]