Erasmus
Intensive
Program
2011
Çukurova University
Adana, Turkije
Nicole Eertink, Holland;Katarina Zahorska,
Slovakia
How important is the EU-membership for the Slovak Republic?
Introduction
We are writing this report for the Erasmus Intensive Program 2011, Adana, Turkey. We are
going to the Çukurova University and have lessons from teachers from many countries. We
are writing this report about the important of the EU-membership for the Slovak Republic.
We hope it’s good enough information.
Index
Introduction................................................................................................................................ 2
Index ............................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
What is the European Union? .................................................................................................... 4
Accession criteria........................................................................................................................ 5
Copenhagen European council .................................................................................................. 5
Madrid European council ........................................................................................................... 5
First step: analytical examination (screening) of the acquis ...................................................... 6
Conditions of entry of the EU to the European Monetary Union .............................................. 7
Precondition for entry into the EMU is to meet the Maastricht criteria: .............................. 7
What is the important thing from the Euro for the Slovak Republic? ................................... 8
Schematically the Copenhagen criteria can be divided into three main areas: .................... 8
Accession Partnership ................................................................................................................ 9
Slovak Republic benefits of EU ................................................................................................. 10
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 11
Sources ........................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
What is the European Union?
The European Union (EU) is an economic and political union of 27 member states which are
located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel
Community (ECSC) and the European Economic Community (EEC) formed by six countries in
the 1950s. In the intervening years the EU has grown in size by the accession of new
member states, and in power by the addition of policy areas to its remit. The Maastricht
Treaty established the European Union under its current name in 1993. The last amendment
to the constitutional basis of the EU, the Treaty of Lisbon, came into force in 2009.
The EU operates through a hybrid system of supranational independent institutions and
intergovernmentally made decisions negotiated by the member states. Important
institutions of the EU include the European Commission, the Council of the European Union,
the European Council, the Court of Justice of the European Union, and the European Central
Bank. The European Parliament is elected every five years by EU citizens.
The EU has developed a single market through a standardised system of laws which apply in
all member states including the abolition of passport controls within the Schengen area. It
ensures the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital, enacts legislation in
justice and home affairs, and maintains common policies on trade, agriculture, fisheries and
regional development. A monetary union, the eurozone, was established in 1999 and is
currently composed of seventeen member states. Through the Common Foreign and
Security Policy the EU has developed a limited role in external relations and defence.
Permanent diplomatic missions have been established around the world and the EU is
represented at the United Nations, the WTO, the G8 and the G-20.
With a combined population of 500 million inhabitants, in 2010 the EU generated an
estimated 28% (US$16.106 trillion) of the global economy, or 21% (US$14.793 trillion) when
adjusted in terms of purchasing power parity.
Accession criteria
In 1993, at the Copenhagen European Council, the Union took a decisive step towards the
fifth enlargement, agreeing that “the associated countries in Central and Eastern Europe
that so desire shall become members of the European Union.” Thus, enlargement was no
longer a question of ‘if’, but ‘when’. Concerning the timing, the European Council states:
“Accession will take place as soon as an associated country is able to assume the obligations
of membership by satisfying the economic and political conditions required.” At the same
time, it defined the membership criteria, which are often referred to as the ‘Copenhagen
criteria’.
Copenhagen European council
Membership criteria require that the candidate country must have achieved stability of
institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and
protection of minorities;
The existence of a functioning market economy as well as the capacity to cope with
competitive pressure and market forces within the Union;
The ability to take on the obligations of membership including adherence to the aims of
political, economic & monetary union.
Madrid European council
Membership criteria also require that the candidate country must have created the
conditions for its integration through the adjustment of its administrative structures, as
underlined by the Madrid European Council in December 1995. While it is important that
European Community legislation is transposed into national legislation, it is even more
important that the legislation is implemented effectively through appropriate administrative
and judicial structures. This is a prerequisite of the mutual trust required by EU membership.
First step: analytical examination (screening) of the acquis
The Commission has launched the analytical examination, commonly called screening
(currently launched for Croatia and Turkey) forms the first phase of accession negotiations.
This process which takes around a year allows candidate countries to familiarise themselves
with the acquis and the Commission and the Member States to evaluate the degree of
preparedness of candidate countries prior to negotiations.
Screening is conducted through meetings. There are two kinds of meetings for each chapter:
first explanatory meetings with all candidate countries together and then bilateral meetings
with each of the countries separately. In the explanatory sessions the Commission explains
the acquis to the candidate countries. Approximately one month after the explanatory
meeting, a bilateral meeting (country session) is held with each country individually. During
that session, it is the candidate country who explains its degree of preparedness and its
plans with regard to the chapter in question. The information gathered in these meetings
serves as a basis for Member State to decide on the opening of accession negotiations on
individual chapters.
In order to become a Member State, both countries will have to accept the acquis of the
Union. As in all previous accession negotiations, specific arrangements may be agreed.
In all areas of the acquis, the candidate countries must bring their institutions, management
capacity and administrative and judicial systems up to EU standards, both at national and
regional level. This will allow them to implement the acquis effectively upon accession and,
where necessary, to be able to implement it effectively in good time before accession. At the
general level, this requires a well-functioning and stable public administration built on an
efficient and impartial civil service, and an independent and efficient judicial system.
Conditions of entry of the EU to the European Monetary Union
In previous enlargements were not part of the European Union candidate
countries set out any criteria that should be met, that the country become
full member of EU (except generally applicable conditions set out in the founding
contracts). Economic and political situation in Central and Eastern Europe is
significantly differed from previous candidates for membership, the European Council in
June 1993 because in Copenhagen, stated that "The accession will, as soon as the country is
able to assume obligations of membership and would be able to meet the economic and
political conditions. "These requirements have since had to be satisfied that a candidate
could become a full EU member.
In summary, these are known as the Copenhagen criteria:
1. Political criteria: the candidate country must have stable institutions ensuring
democracy, rule of law;
2. Human rights and minority rights economic criteria: the country must have a functioning
market economy capable of coping with competitive pressures within the Union.
3. Criteria for adoption of the acquis communautaire: the country must be able to take on
the obligations of membership, including those of political, economic and monetary union.
Since the signing of the Maastricht Treaty, the EU action or policy, divided into."
Three pillars upon them is the European Union. Under the first pillar within those policies
that have Vasina link with the economy of the Member States and were made even before
the Maastricht. The European Union decided on their own through the European
Commission. Policies falling the other two pillars were introduced by the Maastricht Treaty,
the integration of these areas is very politically sensitive and therefore Member States have
to decide very often.
Precondition for entry into the EMU is to meet the Maastricht criteria:
1. Average inflation rate in the country in a period of one year before by checking the entry
the final stage may not exceed by more than 1.5% average inflation rate of three countries
with the lowest inflation.
2. Long-term nominal interest rate not in the country before the scrutiny of options
entering the final stage exceed by more than 2% average interest rate of three countries
with the lowest interest rate of inflation.
3. Government deficit must not exceed 3% of GDP and government debt must not exceed
60% GDP at a time when the EU will review the entry into the EMU criterion of public debt
less than 60% is met if the proportion of debt to GDP has been decreasing.
4. Exchange rate (exchange rate stability - ERM II) - Member countries may not exceed
margin of the European Monetary System (EMS) and at least two years before the scrutiny
possible entry into the final stage of a member country must devalue its currency against
currencies of other EU countries.
A country that is to join the Union had auditioned to be under the EU Treaty European
country and had to respect the principles on which the Union is founded. The expansion
of the post-communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe led to the necessity of
formulating the terms of accession to the EU.
What is the important thing from the Euro for the Slovak Republic?
Slovak Republic successfully managed six years in the European Union. Slovakia is already six
years a part of unifying Europe. Along with nine other countries of Central and Eastern
Europe strengthened our voice in European issues.
"Slovakia's membership in the European Union is a success story. Preparation for
membership helped Slovakia to manage the process of transforming the economy and
society. Slovakia well-managed entry into the Schengen area and thus fulfilled its policy
ambitions of the European integrations. The fact is that the vast majority of Slovak citizens
continue to perceive Union membership is positive, but on the other hand, our public still
does not seem sufficient interest to be actively involved in European issues. This may be a
false sense that the society. Slovakia well-managed entry into the Schengen area and thus
fulfilled its policy ambitions of the European integrations. The fact is that the vast majority of
Slovak citizens continue to perceive Union membership is positive, but on the other hand,
our public still does not seem sufficient interest to be actively involved in European issues.
This may be a false sense that the European Union does not affect our everyday lives.
Schematically the Copenhagen criteria can be divided into three main areas:
1. Political; Candidate country must have stable institutions guaranteeing democracy, the
rule of law, human rights and minorities OCHA.
2. Businesses; Candidate country must have a functioning economic market and must be
able to withstand competitive pressure and market forces within the EU.
3. Criteria associated; With the ability to implement the acquis communautaire, the
candidate country must take to assume all the obligations of membership, including the aims
of political, economic and monetary union. A final decision on the accession of
candidate countries into the EU must unanimously approve the EU Council after consultation
with the European Commission and European Parliament approval. European Council to
closely monitor the progress of each candidate in relation to meeting conditions for EU
membership.
Accession Partnership
The European Council endorsed in March 1998, a platform on which to develop contacts
between the EU and individual countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The Accession
Partnership sets out on the basis of the assessment report the European Commission’s
short-and medium-term objectives in each area to which the country must focus on. In 1997
the EU Commission has outlined priority areas to which the Slovak Republic is oriented to
overcome the shortfall in meeting the Copenhagen criteria. Evaluation following regular
releases European Council updated Accession Partnership late 1999th In this context we
can speak of the Accession Partnership I. and the Accession Partnership II.
In the first Accession Partnership for Slovakia were established as the following objectives:
Short-term priorities (1998)
1. Political criteria: free and fair presidential, parliamentary elections and elections to the
municipal elections in 1998, ensuring the participation of the opposition in parliamentary
scrutiny committees and supervisory boards, the adoption of legislative provisions on
the use of minority languages;
2. Economic reform: establishment of medium-term economic policy priorities, addressing
internal and external imbalances, maintaining, macroeconomic stability, financial and
banking restructuring and the like;
3. Internal market: approximation of legislation on standards and certification, state aid,
intellectual and so on;
4. Environment: continue transposition of framework legislation.
Medium-term priorities (2000)
Similarly, the medium were determined criteria in the following areas: Political criteria,
economic policy, strengthening institutional and administrative potential of the
internalmarket, justice and home affairs, agriculture, energy, transport, employment and
social affairs, environment, regional policy and cohesion.
Second, the Accession Partnership have been prepared following criteria. For example,
short-term political criterion (2000) the second of the Accession Partnership is to improve
the situation of the Roma, short-term economic criteria, in turn, restore macroeconomic
stability, promote competition, stimulate domestic and foreign investment and improve the
process of bankruptcy and insolvency firms. The new order is as reinforce the administration
and judiciary, including the management and control of EU funds. As in the Accession
partnership I. In the perspective of approximation of law emphasis on the convergence
of legislation , in the Accession Partnership II. The emphasis is on strengthening
the administration and implementation measures.
Slovak Republic benefits of EU
Benefits Slovak Republic of access to EU
Economic benefits
- increasing competition in all areas of the economy;
- the need for modernization, the introduction of high-technology;
- removal of trade barriers;
- saving the whole society (uniform traffic), free movement of goods;
- elimination of costs associated with protecting borders;
- development cooperation with producers in the EU in reaching the "third markets";
- new business opportunities in the EU and EU countries;
- strengthening the country's credibility and support of foreign capital;
- Indirect effects - impact on social and employment;
- higher volume of non-repayable funds from the EU;
- free movement of workers and persons.
Non-economic benefits
- credibility in foreign policy areas;
- joint response to global problems;
- consolidation of democracy in the country;
- Judicial and police cooperation - improving safety;
- improving the quality of the environment;
- positives in science, research and development.
Sources
1. http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/enlargement_process/accession_process/how_do
es_a_country_join_the_eu/negotiations_croatia_turkey/index_en.htm#acquis
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union
3. Economics, social policies and citizenship in the Europe of regions, Peter Bielek et al,
Nitra 2010
Conclusion
We think it is good that the Slovak Republic a member is from the European Union. There
are lot off benefits for the Slovak Republic but even so for the European Union. In this report
you have find some information to be a member of the European Union. Slovak Republic
meets the most off this requirements and could therefore become a member. We both think
that Slovak Republic accession to the European Union was more advantageous than
disadvantageous.