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EUROPE’S ENLARGEMENT AND THE SOUTHERN CAUCASUS
Idzhran GUSEINOVA
Idzhran Guseinova, Ph.D. (Political Science), professor at Baku University (Baku, Azerbaijan)
There has been a lot of talk in the international community and mass media lately about a very important topic—the entry of ten Eastern European countries into the European Union. In particular, Azerbaijani political scientists, journalists, and state officials are discussing the prospects opening up for the republic in this respect, and weighing up the pros and cons of this integration. Whereby entirely polar opinions are being expressed—from gloomy forecasts to enthused cries welcoming this opportunity.
This article is an attempt to look at what Azerbaijan’s chances are of joining the EU and carry out a focused analysis of the various vectors of Europe’s enlargement in the context of South Caucasian interests, primarily those of our country.
How It Began
It is hard to imagine that the idea of unification of the Old World arose as early as the Renaissance. Later, in the 17th century, people dreamed of uniting all the states of the continent into a single European federal council. The great German philosopher, Immanuel Kant, suggested creating a “Union of Peoples,” and French Prime Minister Aristide Briand advocated the idea of “pan-Europe.” At different times, similar ideas were promulgated by Napoleon and Winston Churchill.
But in reality, this integration began on the day the famous Shuman Declaration and Paris Treaty were signed, which envisaged the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). Subsequently, the final choice of strategy, which led to specific achievements, was made in Rome, where very important documents were signed, primarily the Treaty on a European Economic Community.
In those years, Europe, which was recovering from the destruction wrought by World War II, gradually restored its rightful status and geopolitical significance in the world civilization system, joined the forces of the key players, and consistently built up its potential. Today, the countries of the continent face new problems. Ways to oppose hegemony in a coalition, notes Samuel Huntington, were defined even before the end of the Cold War: creating a European Union and introducing a single European currency. Europe’s task is to create a counterbalance to U.S. domination in a multi-polar world.
Vector of Movement
The trends are such that, now, enlargement of the EU to the East may gradually change the world balance in favor of Europe. The European Union currently has twenty-five members. This has made the…………………
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