The Further Enlargement of the EU:
follow-up Report
1. The process of enlargement has been an integral
part of the development of the EU over the last 50 years. We published
our Report "The Further Enlargement of the EU: threat or
opportunity?" on 23 November 2006.[1]
The Report evaluated the impact of previous enlargements; looked
at attitudes towards future enlargement; considered the concept
of 'absorption capacity' and the debate concerning the borders
of Europe; took a detailed look at candidates and potential candidates
for membership and considered possible alternatives to enlargement
and the probable costs of not enlarging.
2. The Government's Response to the Report was
received on 18 January 2007, and we take this opportunity to publish
that Response. Our Report was debated in the House on 9 May 2007.[2]
3. The Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia,
His Excellency Mr Josip Paro, appeared before the Committee
on 1 May 2007 to discuss enlargement and the accession of Croatia
to the EU. In this Report we make his evidence available to the
House for information.
4. The key topics in the evidence are:
- The accession process and how
Croatia is progressing (QQ 1, 7)
- Anti-corruption measures (QQ 14-15)
- British support (QQ 1, 18)
- Croatian public opinion regarding accession (QQ 3,
11-12)
- Delays relating to the Commission (QQ 1-2)
- Enlargement fatigue and the future of Europe
(QQ 1, 9-10)
- The European Parliament's support for Croatian
accession (Q 3)
- Institutional reform and the accession of Croatia
(Q 3)
- The International Criminal Tribunal for the former
Yugoslavia (QQ 14-16)
- Judicial system reforms (QQ 14-15)
- NATO (Q 1)
- Relations with Slovenia (QQ 1, 10, 17)
- The Swoboda Report on Croatian accession (QQ 13-14)
- The timetable for accession (QQ 3-8).
1 "The Further Enlargement of the EU: threat or
opportunity?" 53rd Report, Session 2005-06, HL Paper 273.
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2
HL Deb 9 May 2007 cols 1489-1530. To read the debate, go to http://pubs1.tso.parliament.uk/pa/ld200607/ldhansrd/text/70509-0008.htm#070509115000002.
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