EU leaders shelve enlargement pledges

Date: 16/06/05

EU leaders will seek to separate further expansion of the Union from the rejection of the EU constitution by French and Dutch voters.

Concern that declarations on enlargement at the upcoming summit (16-17 June) could prompt a divisive debate on the limits of the Union at a time when voters appear to be critical of further enlargement has prompted the Luxembourg presidency to shelve previously proposed statements.

Texts had been proposed reconfirming the EU's commitments to Turkish, Bulgarian, Romanian and Croatian membership but all have now been withdrawn as the Union struggles to deal with the fallout from the Dutch and French votes.

With most EU members supportive of some form of further expansion, albeit to different regions, and the Union's ability to weather the constitution crisis in the spotlight, diplomats are keen not to initiate a potentially damaging debate.

Opposition to enlargement was seen as one of the factors pushing the 'No' vote in both France and the Netherlands.

However, despite some member states' reluctance, leaders look ready to set out once again their commitment to the countries of the Western Balkans.

The Netherlands, which diplomats say has had a more rigid negotiation stance since the 1 June referendum, had opposed any explicit mention of EU membership for the countries of the region.

But fearing instability in the Western Balkans, the declaration is still expected to express commitment to the countries' future being in the EU.

Diplomats say that a cooling off period is needed on the question of enlargement while the EU figures out how to retain its diplomatic pull at the same time as defining its borders.

"For Romania and Bulgaria they will have to work very hard to enter the EU on time," one diplomat from a member state that joined the Union last year said. "We have been really lucky," he added.

Romania and Bulgaria hope to join the EU in 2007.

Turkey's membership is now seen "in a totally different light", the diplomat added.

Ankara looks set to press for negotiations to open in October as scheduled.

"We are still in the process," said one Turkish diplomat, welcoming the move to distance enlargement from the debate on the constitution.

"The substantial problems that the EU faces have nothing to do with Turkey or Croatia," he added.

Ankara has rejected possible delays in approving the European Commission's negotiating mandate, which would pave the way for membership talks to begin.

Despite Turkey's potential membership being approved long before Croatia's, swifter progress has been made in setting out the structure of talks with Zagreb.

For Turkey the final outline of talks is expected at the end of this month. Turkish diplomats are struggling to put a positive spin on their long-term prospects in the wake of the French and Dutch votes.

"Normally we see no reason to be concerned, but of course the longer term looks very bleak," said one.

"The short term is more important, we knew from the beginning that the process would be long and difficult."