Enlargement

Kroatien steht in Beitrittsverhandlungen mit der EU ©Europäische Kommission

Accessions to the EU have thus far been a success story for Europe and Germany. German companies often enjoy a leading position in the new EU states.

The volume of German exports to new EU countries grew from 1993 to 2005 by more than 260 %. The trade volume reached around 138 bn euro in 2005. The provisional figures for 2006 are encouraging. For direct investment as well, Germany is a significant partner in the region. The investments – totalling around 41.35 bn euro – support the commercial activities of market entry, creating transnational value-adding chains, as well as the implementation of long-term globalisation strategies.  

The 2004 EU accessions have been implemented on the ground in political, economic and administrative terms subject to agreed transitional arrangements (free movement of workers, environment, energy, transport, etc.). Bulgaria and Romania acceded to the EU on 1 January 2007 with application of previously agreed safeguard clauses. Complete implementation of all undertakings is still a long way off. Therefore enhanced monitoring for Bulgaria and Romania should be kept in place. The European Commission should press for complete implementation of all undertakings entered into.    

The European enlargement strategy should be moved forward judiciously. Further enlargement of the EU should proceed under consideration of absorption capacity and with a sense of proportion. Technical timetables which only reflect political expectations rather than solid progress in the negotiations and implementation of undertakings in the countries concerned should be avoided.  

Turkey and Croatia have been negotiating EU accession since October 2005. The talks are at an early stage. The western Balkan countries have a clear prospect of EU membership based on their individual progress. It is important that the current accession negotiations continue on the basis of the principles and processes agreed in the negotiating mandates.