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Abstracts for the papers to be presented in the Research Panels of the Copenhagen to Copenhagen conference on Saturday 5 April 2003 can be seen below. Please refer to the programme to see which papers are in which panel and then find the abstracts by clicking on the speakers surname in the list below.

Albi  |  Bergman  |  Bykhovskiy  |  Cloake  |  Cruz  |  Dangerfield  |  Durak  |  Faro  |  FitzGerald  |  Fowler  |  Gatev  |  Goldner  |  Hanley  |  Henderson  |  Jureviciute  |  Kabat  |  Kourotchkine  |  Leonard  |  Leustean  |  Lombaert  |  Medne  |  Mihelin  |  Milev  |  Mirisan  |  O'Brennan  |  Pawelczyk  |  Pérez-Solórzano  |  Popovici  |  Salajan  |  Samson  |  Steffens  |  Szczerbiak  |  Vasiljevic  |  Vilpišauskas  |  Zolkos

Surnames in green are taking part in a round table discussion (so there will be no abstract).

Albi, Anneli (European University Institute, Italy)
Adapting the ‘Souverainist’ Constitutions of Central and Eastern Europe for EU Accession
After the breakdown of the Communist regime a decade ago, the Central and Eastern European (CEE) Candidate Countries established the fundamentals of their regained sovereignty in their constitutions. In comparison with the EU Member States’ constitutions, I would characterise them as ‘souverainist’ constitutions, because they share three common features. Firstly, they distinguish between sovereignty and independence and subject these provisions to a complex set of safeguards. Secondly, nine constitutions amongst the ten CEE Candidate Countries did not contain, until recently, provisions on delegating powers to international organisations. Thirdly, the amendment of the sovereignty-provisions is rather difficult, requiring in a number of countries a referendum.
Since the accession to the European Union involves a delegation of powers to one of the most highly integrated organisations in the contemporary world, some CEE Candidate Countries have amended their constitutions and others are preparing amendments. The paper examines the issues which have arisen in the amendment debates, with a special focus on the question of sovereignty. In a number of countries, the amendment process reveals a great deal of political sensitivity with a view to eurosceptic public opinion, difficult amendment procedures and people’s sentiments concerning the delegation of their shortly re-gained sovereignty.

Bergman, Annika (University of Edinburgh)
Nordic EU Integration Assistance: The Case of the Baltic States
The end of the Cold War inspired new forms of co-operation between Western democratic states and former communist countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), of which the surge in Nordic-Baltic relations is an important example. During the Cold War era the focal points of Nordic internationalism, was mainly the developing world, the UN as well as international peacekeeping and there were few links with Central and Eastern European states (CEES). However, in the post-Cold War era Nordic internationalism acquired a new Baltic dimension, which is here defined as one of "adjacent internationalism". The overall purpose of this paper is to describe, analyse and evaluate one specific dimension of this new foreign policy branch, namely that of Nordic EU integration assistance. It does so by critically examining the efforts of the Nordic states to prepare the Baltic States for EU membership, with a particular focus on the role of 'solidarity' in the process. It provides an empirical overview and analysis of the Nordic states' individual and collective efforts to assist the Baltic states in meeting the Copenhagen accession criteria. It is argued that this form of support has been instrumental in preparing the Baltic states for EU membership and has lent credence to adjacent internationalism.The final part of the paper considers the wider implications of Nordic assistance policy. In essence, it is argued that it has helped the Baltic states to prepare themselves for EU membership. Moreover, it is contended that it has strengthened inter-Nordic co-operation as well as provided substance to the Nordic states' collective and individual efforts to support the forthcoming enlargement to CEE. The conclusion pulls together the main themes of the paper, noting that, despite the presence of interests and certain competitive tendencies in Nordic integration assistance policy, the project reveals the irreducible presence of solidarity and a wish to expand the European sphere of community to the Baltic states.

Bykhovskiy, Svyatoslav (Russian Academy of Sciences)
The EU Eastwards Enlargement and Russia
The research paper concerns trade and economic vectors of future Russia development in the context of forthcoming EU enlargement. It is evident that enlargement, as a highly complicated process, will impact both EU itself and new members in numerous ways as well as numerous third countries. The first one in such list may be Russia as a country, which being really european due to its geographic situation, historic, cultural, trade, etc. traditions, found itself out of the wave of integration. New reality creates new problems and requires new approaches. To study some of them was the purpose of the performed research.

Cloake, Ciara (University of Limerick)
Turkey and it's Violations of the European Convention on Human Rights
The Paper outlines the Copenhagen criteria, discusses the ECHR and then takes a few particular articles like freedom of expression etc. and cites violations of it. A discussion is made about the potential improvements that the reform packages and new civil code has brought in, but the paper acknowledges that it is done with a view to joining the EU.

Cruz, Bernado (University of Bristol)
Democracy in the New Member States: Is the Commission on the Right Path?
In face of the enlargement process, the European Union formulated a set of criteria that the new member States have to fulfil in order to initiate negotiations. Among those criteria is the existence of a working Democracy. This paper will look at the effectiveness of the so-call democratic criteria in creating a European democratic system in the new member States. To do so, firstly it will briefly discuss three different theoretical approaches to European democracy (New Right; New Left and Ordo-Liberalism).
Secondly, and based on the third theoretical solution, it will debate the characteristics of European democracy, based on five different elements (political rights; rule of law; electoral rights; accountability and economic and social rights). Finally, the characteristics of European democracy just mentioned will serve as standards of comparison to the elements used by the European Commission to evaluate the level of democracy of new member States.
The objective of this paper is, therefore, to assess the validity of the democratic criteria in creating and maintaining a working, stable and coherent European democratic system in the new member States of the European Union.

Dangerfield, Martin (University of Wolverhampton)
Subregional Integration and Eu Pre-Accession: The Central European Experience and Lessons for Southeast Europe
The EU members-designate have all participated in subregional economic integration projects as part of pre-accession. The Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) and smaller ‘cousin’ the Baltic Free Trade Area (BFTA) are the main multilateral vehicles for this process. Since mutual integration/reintegration endeavours are underway in SouthEast Europe (SEE) and a ‘de jure’ free trade zone in the form of a network of bilateral free trade agreements is already in place, an audit of earlier experiences can provide useful insights into what participating countries and external sponsors of subregional cooperation in SEE might expect to achieve, where the limits lie, and what initiatives are sensible to suggest for SEE. This paper will reflect on the lessons of the CEFTA case and will make the following arguments: 1. Different levels of reform, economic development and stage of EU relations will not in themselves prevent positive results of subregional integration; 2. Individual countries’ progress towards EU membership cannot be undermined by basic market integration with fellow travellers; 3. Overambitious subregional integration agendas face substantial practical obstacles as well as political ones; 4. CEFTA itself is unlikely to develop a key role in the SEE subregional integration process despite the impending accession of Croatia.

Durak, Yesim (General Secretariat for European Union)
Turkısh Legal Harmonızatıon Packages for Accessıon to the Eu
In the post-Helsinki period, several legal harmonization packages have been adopted in Turkey for the fulfillment of Turkey’s commitments in the scope of the Political Criteria  under the Turkish National Programme for Adopting the EU Acquis.
In this regard, after the 3 October 2001 Constitutional amendments, four packages have been adopted by the Parliament in February 2002, March 2002, August 2002 and January 2003. These packages include drastic fundamental changes such as abolishing the death penalty except in cases of war and imminent threat of war, broadcasting and learning of different languages and dialects traditionally used by Turkish citizens in their daily lives and retrial in the light of decisions of the ECHR.
Some other important amendments are in the fields of freedom of thought and expression, freedom of association and peaceful assembly, fight against torture and pre-trial detention.
In light of the decision taken at the last European Council Summit dated 12-13 December 2002 in Copenhagen about Turkey, the harmonization process is still ongoing especially in the means of fulfillment with the political criteria, which is a prerequisite for opening the negotiations with the EU.

Faro, Jeremy (University of Cambridge)
Whither Italo-Slovene Borderland Integration?
My research examines the impact of investment from the European Union?specifically the Interreg and Phare CBC programme financed through the Structural Funds?in creating enduring trust in ethno-linguistically heterogeneous border areas which presently show political support for extreme-nationalist political agendas. The ability of such EU programmes to integrate these border areas is an economic and socio-cultural necessity for the Union¹s impending eastward enlargement. Yet, political forces at the eastern edges of the European Union have often threatened to subvert the aims of that investment. While these programmes have been highly successful in achieving physical integration in the borderlands through the creation of infrastructure, and while cross-border environmental management has been upgraded as a result of EU investment, programmed interventions requiring sustainable human-network creation (such as those aimed at SMEs) or in support of multiculturalism have had less-than-optimal impact in many cases.
Within this context, this paper will analyse the nature and efficacy of EU investment in cooperation between Italy and Slovenia since 1994. In addition, this paper will examine issues critical to borderland integration such as: the contemporary political context in the borderland; changes in transfrontier migration and employment; institutional networks and cooperation; language and intercultural contact; economic cooperation outside the framework of the Structural Funds; and, popular attitudes toward EU investment and Slovenia¹s accession to the EU.

FitzGerald, Maurice (Loughborough University)
Breakthrough: The 1970-1972 EU Enlargement Negotiations
Speaking in Poland just over two years ago, British prime minister Tony Blair talked of the challenges and opportunities presented by the next enlargement of the European Union (EU). But, despite any problems it is causing, he declared that he was 'determined there should be a breakthrough'. This expansion in EU membership will include up to ten new members, mostly Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs). Notwithstanding any difficulties this will cause, it is generally argued that the benefits far outweigh the costs.
Of course, this is not the first time that the EU has grown. During its history, accession has taken place singly and in waves. The EU is a dynamic and ever-changing organisation after all. And, while the addition of so many new contracting parties after 2004 is clearly significant, even historic, this will probably not be its last enlargement. Balkan states, as well as the remaining CEECs, are lining up behind the present wave.
Half a century after the first European Community came into being, the EU has grown from the Six to the Nine (1973), then the Ten (1981) and the Twelve (1986), to its current complement of Fifteen (1995). By the end of this decade, that number might well have doubled. How has this come about? Indeed, where did it all begin? Was the EU - its constituent parts and partners, as well as its potential new colleagues - ready for such an expansion the first time around? Did enlargement help or hinder European integration, concurrently widening and deepening? Does the past have anything to teach us about the present and the future? Indeed, is the current process distinctive from previous experiences or just the same? This paper examines the first expansion, concentrating on the 1970-1972 EU enlargement negotiations, the original 'breakthrough', and argues that the past is not another country, that we have a lot yet to learn from it.

Gatev, Ivaylo (University of Bath)
Cross-Border Production Networks: How Well are the Industries of the Central and Eastern European Candidate Countries Preparing for Accession to the European Union?
The economic goals that the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) set for themselves at the beginning of the post-communist period in 1989 are successful transition to market economics and full integration into the European economy. The final recognition of their success in these undertakings would come with these countries’ entry into the European Union (EU). The criteria for accession to the EU that the industries of the CEE states have to satisfy are sufficient capacity to withstand competitive pressures in the Common Market and demonstrated ability to meet a set of key administrative requirements relating to health and safety, emissions monitoring and product certification. The integration of the CEE industries into the broader European economy started with their privatisation in the first half of the 1990s during which a large number of industrial enterprises changed ownership and ended up in the hands of foreign investors. An important part of the literature on the subject maintains that foreign investors, particularly those coming from the West, have played a crucial role in CEE preparations for accession by accelerating enterprise restructuring and helping industries in the east to adapt to the managerial, technological, financial and know-how requirements necessary to compete successfully on the European market. This essay will assess the level of preparedness of CEE industries for accession to the EU by examining the impact of foreign direct investment on the automobile, electronics and textile and clothing industries in the region. In doing so, it will evaluate the argument that their insertion into western production networks has helped these industries prepare for accession to the European Union. It will conclude by qualifying the claim that the positive effects of foreign direct investment (FDI) in certain sectors will spread to the rest of the economy as well as to the region as a whole.
The aspiration of Turkey to become a EU member has been a major driving force in terms of EU-Turkey relations. The association agreement, the Custom Union and the candidacy of Turkey are important mechanism through which the EU has an impact on Turkey. Additionally, Turkey is actually in a process of harmonization and adaptation of its economic, legal and political system to the EU in order to start the accession negotiations for full membership. However, the process of accession into the EU has rather been slow and problematic. This paper aims at exploring the difficulties that Turkey in particular and the EU in general encounters in terms of the accession of Turkey into the EU.

Goldner, Iris (University of Zagreb, Croatia)
The Impact of Enlargement on an Area of Freedom, Security and Justice: Challenges and Expectations
The paper presents and critically comments upon the implications of the next enlargement wave on the developments in the field of an Area of Freedom, Security and Justice. This field proved to be one of the most sensitive areas in the accession negotiations. The EU’s unilateral approach in negotiating and setting up conditions for membership in this area, without the possibility of allowing any transitional arrangements, resulted from its twofold fear of both legal and illegal immigration. Its fear of immigration from non-candidate countries, on the one hand, led to the Candidate Countries’ obligation to fully implement all restrictive border provisions between themselves and Third Countries, thus creating a new Schengen border. On the other hand, EU’s fear of labour force immigration originating from new Member States will result in the preservation of border controls between the old and the new Members States until the expiry of special transitional periods. Finally, Candidate Countries’ experiences are analysed in the light of the obligations Croatia has undertaken within the framework of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

Jureviciute, Diana (Queen's University Belfast)
The Institutional Adaptation to the EU in Lithuania and Estonia
The institutional adaptation to the EU in the countries from Central and Eastern Europe takes place due to the obligations under the Association Agreements (the Europe Agreements), and also due to the accession negotiations. Moreover, the countries from Central and Eastern Europe have been proceeding integration into the EU in parallel with implementation of the rules and institutions of market economy and democratic governance. As a part of these processes, institutional adaptation has been taking place in the Baltic States, as well.
The paper to be presented aims to examine and compare the institutional adaptation processes taking place in Estonia and Lithuania during a pre-accession period. The adjustments made and their scope do vary from country to country. The coordination structures and procedures are shaped by a number of contextual factors and are limited by institutional and political constrains.  Based on the empirical findings in Estonia and Lithuania, it aims to identify what ways do the various political actors in the both countries  have adapted to EU membership, and the  factors that influenced the  national response and the scope of it.

Kabat, Danuta (Cracow University of Economics, Poland)
Contradictions of the Fifth Enlargement and their Impact on the EU’s Development
The purpose of the paper is to proof that the process of the EU’s fifth enlargement creates by reason of internal contradictions a situation, which will implicate the whole range of disturbances and changes in the future European Union of 25 states. Such a situation is a result of the impossibility to use the experiences of the previous enlargements.
The author makes an attempt to proof that these contradictions will determine the development of the EU in the economic, political and judicial sphere. What is even more important, they will postpone the achievement of the full integration.
The present situation will be followed by changes in the EU’s development. Despite the lack of the parties readiness to carry out the reform, the new situation will force - under the threat of disintegration - the institutional reform and the changes in EU’s policies. Difficulties resulting from differences between the member states will undoubtedly contribute to the attractiveness of well known concepts such as: variable geometry or concentric circles.

Kourotchkine, Alexandre (St Petersburg State University, Russia)
European Administrative Space and Contemporary Administrative
Reforms in Post-communist States
My paper is directed on description and exploration of the interrelation between program of contemporary administrative reforms in Russia and some other post-communist countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Ukraine and Moldova) and the process of emergence and development of the European Administrative Space which is described as the  system of common public administration principles and values such as 1) openness and transparency, 2) accountability, 3) reliability, 4) efficiency and effectiveness. It is very important theoretical and practical  problem for EU Member States, Candidate Countries (as they will need to develop their administrations) and other European countries like Russia, Ukraine, Moldova etc. (as they are the nearest partners of the EU member states and potential members of European Community). The author tries to analyse the opportunity of applying  the common public administration principles to reforming of the contemporary administrative  systems in conditions of the transitive society. This analysis takes into account specific character of political processes  and legal systems of Russia and other post-communist countries.
I suppose this theme is directly connected with the problem of EU Eastern Enlargement and further European Integration.

Leonard, Sarah (University of Wales, Aberystwyth)
The Central and Eastern European Countries and the Fight Against Illegal Migration
This paper examines the efficiency of the fight against illegal migration in Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs). It focuses on the six major instruments used by liberal-democratic states for that purpose: visa regimes, border controls, penalties against human smugglers and traffickers, return policies, carriers’ sanctions, and employers’ sanctions. As it is impossible, by definition, to rely on accurate data in this field, the research proceeds indirectly in two steps. Firstly, the paper defines theoretically all the conditions underpinning a successful implementation of each of these instruments; secondly, it checks the candidate countries against this theoretical model to evaluate to what extent their implementation of each of these instruments is efficient.
The results of this analysis largely challenge commonly held assumptions. Those claim that the CEECs are overwhelmed by illegal migrants and will consequently jeopardize the internal security of the other EU Member States after their accession. By contrast, this paper shows that remarkable progress has been made by all the candidate countries, even though several shortcomings are still noticeable given their relatively lower starting base in the fight against illegal migration.

Leustean, Lucian (University of Fribourg)
Beyond Copenhagen: Cultural and Political Outlooks of the Future EU’s Enlargement
The present process of European enlargement has brought again into discussion connected cultural and political standpoints. The economic and social expression of invited countries to join the EU and those that still want to be admitted, particularly Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania and other Balkan states, maintain the atmosphere of a separation of the European continent. The artificial image that the invited countries could belong to a certain cultural block has raised questions of the inner foundation of the European Union. Present discussions in the European Convention on the future of the EU pointed as main problems in defining a common voice concerning the role of cultural politics in the future European architecture.  My paper will present the evolution of different theories and attitudes regarding the main cultural and political debate regarding the future of Europe and the current national positions of countries which hope to be part of the EU beyond Copenhagen.  

Lombaert, Ruta (Vrije Universiteit, Belgium)
The EU Enlargement Negotiations Completed: How Balanced is the Balance? The Case of Lithuania
The EU enlargement negotiations differ from ‘negotiations’ as they are commonly understood. Still, they require careful balance of interests and capacities of the EU-15 and the EU accession countries. How successfully has this task been achieved?
The paper analyzes the final terms that have been negotiated, under which the EU accession countries (and Lithuania in particular) adopt, implement and enforce the acquis, as well as transitional arrangements, where relevant. It examines these terms under a number of selected chapters: free movement of capital and workers, agriculture, energy, regional policy, environment, justice and home affairs, customs union. Compromises that have been reached in certain areas, such as transit between Russia and its Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad, or closure of Ignalina nuclear power plant, deserve particular attention in the analysis.
The EU enlargement requires not only efforts from the side of the EU accession countries, but also a radical reform of the institutions and structures of the EU. The paper presents a critical overview of the achievements in this area so far and certain foresights for the future.
Finally, the paper analyzes, from the Lithuanian perspective, the financial enlargement package for the years 2004 – 2006, which was agreed on at the Copenhagen European Council (December 2002).

Medne, Kristine (University of Latvia)
Latvia Beyond the Copenhagen 2002
Till the December 2002, the main task for Latvia was to accomplish the accession criteria concerning adjustment of laws, procedures, trade policy instruments, etc. Starting from now, it is essential for Latvia to understand there are two types of activities that should be made in parallel:  to become a member of the EU, and to become a member who fulfils the national objectives and successfully protects its interests.
Therefore a particular attention should be paid to the obligations following of the membership, as well as understood that the demonstration of commitment to the aims of political, economical and monetary union which the EU now represent is highly desirable. As per today, there are still many nationally important questions that should be discussed and situations where the boarders of responsibilities should be defined.  For Latvia, and for other small countries some of the problems are particularly actual: its impact in decision making process, the access to EU structural funds, etc. It is also not clear how harmonized will be the implementation process of newcomers in the EU and how it will conform to national policy objectives.
All above mentioned problems should be carefully examined, sides’ interests clearly defined and problems solved in a mutually gainful manner.

Mihelin, Dario (Ministry for European Integration, Croatia)
Sixth Enlargement: To What Extent South East European One?
Taking into account the prospect of eventual full integration to the European Union of five South East European countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro) provided by the Stabilisation and Association Process, as well as recent statements by highest European Commission officials on the future boundaries of the European Union, a single question that can be posed regarding their accession is when it will take place. Will some of them succeed in catching up with Romania and Bulgaria thus defining the sixth enlargement as a South East European one?
Although this paper is focused primarily on the case of Croatia’s accession to the European Union, it outlines relevant general policy issues regarding rapprochement of the South East European countries to the European Union as well. It stresses the necessity for increased involvement of the European Union in the region facilitating its cohesion with the European mainstream.
In conclusion, the author tries to give an answer to the question posed by the title linking it with the feasibility of next round of enlargement taking place in 2007 at all.

Milev, Milhail (Sofia University)
The Problems that the Regional Policy of the European Union is Facing in its Implementation in Bulgaria
In my paper work I will try to research the problems that stand before the Regional policy in its realization in Bulgaria. Firstly, Bulgaria /as well as all the CEECs/ has enormous financial needs in all sectors of the economy and society and the principle of solidarity requires the Regional policy to give its contribution to the less developed regions in all of the candidate countries. The investigated question here is whether the financial support is sufficient and what are the obstacles to increase it.
Secondly, Bulgaria and the other candidate countries suffer from problems associated with the implementation of the regional development policy, having no previous experience. The problem is aggravated by the absence of strong regional governance and lack of coordination between the central government and the regions in the country.  The EU’s contribution to the process of gaining experience by the candidate countries is the creation of pre-accession instruments, which resemble the structural funds of the EU. The problem is to what extent they are successful in Bulgaria as well as in the other CEECs.
Last but not least, many of the current EU members have certain objections about the future changes in the Regional policy as they might affect their own funding from the Structural funds. As the regional policy must also answer the needs and fears of these countries the issue is what will be the future of this policy and the participation of the current candidate countries in its shaping.

Mirisan, Ligia-Valentina (University of Oradea, Romania)
Harmonizing the Romanian Penal Legislation According to the EU Criteria: Part of the Accession Process
The purpose of this paper is a concise approach of the main aspects concerning the reform of the Romanian Penal Legislation after the Revolution(1989). I am talking about the changes brought to the Penal Code, which have represented major steps targeting the approach to the European Penal Legislation, according to the EU criteria.
The Romanian Government has recently worked on a project for a new Penal Code which is a real chance to open up to the future accession.
Showing the main changes of the new Romanian Penal Code and, also, a brief analysis will be the most important theme of my paper. I will, also, tell you about the new legal ways to fight organized crime and bribery, consisting in new laws concerning the aspects mentioned above.
In what the project of the new Penal Code and other number of new laws are concerned(including a brand new legislative package in order that the Government will assume liability in front of the Parliament), this paper is the first attempt to deal with the issues mentioned above. Therefore, this brief analysis will, also, contain personal proposals and suggestions.

O'Brennan, John (University of Limerick)
"Selling Europe": Lessons from the Irish Referendum Experience of 2001 and 2002
The task of "selling" this historic enlargement to the European public should not be underestimated. Recent Eurobarometer surveys in both the current member states and the candidate states reveal limited and even declining support for the EU. In the candidate states in particular there are worrying signs of a lack of popular support for the EU (ranging from as low as 32% in Estonia to 67% in Hungary). Most of the candidate states have committed to holding referenda on membership. Some of the current member states may also follow suit. European leaders, faced with this growing disillusionment with the 'project' and tasked with selling enlargement, might well be advised to take a good look at the two Irish referendums held to ratify the Nice Treaty in June 2001 and October 2002. After rejecting the Treaty by a margin of 54% to 46% in the first poll, the Irish people dramatically reversed that decision with a 63% to 37% Yes verdict in October 2002.
This paper will suggest that there are significant lessons to be learnt from the Irish experience, lessons that might well (if they are absorbed) help deflect popular criticism of the EU and help garner popular consent in Sweden and the UK on Euro entry and Europe-wide on enlargement. The failure of the Yes campaign in the first Irish referendum was a failure to communicate the message, to engage citizens in the EU process. The political elites instead sought to rely on the outdated 'permissive consensus' mechanism to ensure compliance and ratification. It did'nt work. The Irish electorate either voted against Nice or did not turn out to vote.
The reversal of 2002 was staggering to say the least. It rested on a much more proactive and vigorous campaign by the Yes side, led by the Irish Government, a very detailed effort to inform people about the issues, and to communicate a positive message relating to European membership, and in the final instance a reminder of the extraordinary importance of enlargement. Most post referendum analysis suggests that the enlargement argument in particular engaged a large number of voters.
It is in this sense (provision of information, debate, an informed citizenry) that the Irish experience is particularly relevant to the proposed forum on enlargement.

Pawelczyk, Beata (National Bank of Poland)
Poland in Front of the Membership in the EU
Since 1993, Poland has put lots of efforts in order to meet the Copenhagen criteria that determine membership of the EU. In this presentation I would like to concentrate on economic adjustments and progress made during the negations process.
In first part I would like to present what has been already done in Polish economy since 1993. Then I would present current economic situation. Since Poland aims at membership of the EMU, I would show Polish economic convergence according to the Maastricht criteria. And finally I would like to discuss what decisions have been already taken and still should be taken in order to become economically credible member of the EU.
1. Based on the assessments of the European Commission presented in the last Regular Report, Poland is regarded as a functioning market economy. Since 1993 the most important for the economy structural reforms in the field of pension, healthcare, insurance and administration have been carried out. In order to compete with the competitive pressure and market forces within the single market of the EU, Poland started a long-lasting privatization process, which however still needs to be accomplished (especially in sensitive sectors).
2. Since 2001 Poland has experienced a slowdown in the economy, which could be attributable to domestic reasons and factors. The similar tendency of significant economic slowdown has been observed also in other countries - the global economy entered a period of economic troubles. This, however, does not justify the economic problems in Poland that are due to malfunction of the macroeconomic policy mix (coordination of fiscal and monetary policy). In 2000 the monetary policy was too rigid - leading to drop in domestic demand, while fiscal policy since then has been too loosen – leading to higher budget deficit and public debt.
In 2002, nevertheless Poland fulfilled the Maastricht criteria, except for budget deficit.
3. The situation in macroeconomic policy of 2001 caused among others increase of unemployment in Poland. In order to overcome this negative effect and to bring the economy back on track of growth many efforts in macroeconomic policy have been started. First-of-all Poland decided on fiscal adjustments guaranteeing sustainability of public finances. A liberalisation of labour policy was proposed by the government and partly introduced. Further structural reforms in the sensitive sectors are continued. And other decisions have been undertaken that are also important from the point of view of entering the EMU in a future.

Pérez-Solórzano, Nieves (University of East Anglia)
Organised Interests and the Accession Process
The CAPE 2001 Survey on corporate readiness for the European Union (EU) Single Market in the ten candidate countries of Central Europe shows that about 40% of the companies surveyed regard EU lobbying as a “very important” aspect of their representation activities.  Within that group, the majority of companies rated lobbying at the domestic level higher than lobbying in Brussels (EUROCHAMBRES and SBRA, 2001).
This paper addresses the impact of the on the EU's Fifth Enlargement on the arena for EU interest representation revealing the interaction of two parallel processes:  with the unfolding of the accession process, Central and Eastern European organised interests have increasingly focused their attention on EU-related issues and actively voiced their views vis-à-vis national governments and EU institutions.  At the same time a socialisation process (i.e. exchange of expertise, attitudes, and outlook) is occurring between established organised interest in Brussels and their Central and Eastern European counterparts.  The experience of the Central and Eastern European Offices of Representation (CEORs) in Brussels provides the empirical backbone to this paper.
This contribution concludes that Eastern and Western-specific modes of political exchange interact at the supranational level.  The challenges to incorporate Central and Eastern European actors to the EU model of interest intermediation evidence the weakness of the CEEC’s domestic environment and the own constraints of EU interest representation.

Popovici, Felicia (University of Oradea, Romania)
The Administrative Reform in Romania
Romania’s integration into the EU is a process involving major changes so as to comply with the European criteria set at the European Council that took place in Copenhagen in December 2002.
To this extent, one of the things of the greatest importance is the reinforcement of the administrative capacity, i.e. the Administrative Reform.
The main problems that have to be solved are:
- the decentralization of the public services
- the consolidation of the administrative and financial autonomy
- changing the legislative system according to the communitarian  acquis
- the adoption of new policies concerning the development and modernization of rural and urban localities
Some of these problems have been solved by the new Law of the Public Local Administration, which defines the general regime of local autonomy according to the European Charter of Local Autonomy and the Romanian Constitution.
Still, the legislative system lacks an Administrative Code and a Code of Administrative Procedure, which would help prevent the misinterpretations or arbitrary interpretations of the law.

Salajan, Bogdan (University of Oradea, Romania)
The New Labor Code: A Normative Act at European Standards
Romania’s accession to the EU involves major changes in basic fields, and adopting a new Labor Code is one of them. The existing Labor Code dates from 1972 and no longer corresponds to the realities of a growing democracy.
An important and complex normative act, the new Labor Code has been conceived at European standards and settles the work relations between employers and employees from the perspective of the market economy and the social-democratic principles.
The new Labor Code settles the whole of individual and collective work relations, including:
- closing, modifying, suspending and ceasing the individual work contract
- rights and duties of the employers
- rights and duties of the employees
- the possibility of closing a part-time work contract
- the working/resting time of the employees 
- wages, minimal wages
- forming the health and security committee in each unit
- assuring the national social dialogue and the role of trade unions
- the rights of the employees’ representatives
- the collective work contracts
- disciplinary responsibility
- patrimonial responsibility
- contraventional responsibility
- criminal responsibility
- solving requests and conflicts at work
The new Labor Code has already been approved by the Parliament, and will become valid on March 1^st  2003.

Samson, Ramona (Copenhagen Business School, Denmark)
Eastward EU Next Enlargement: A Cultural Integration Issue
The paper will outline some of the essential factors and dynamics that must be taken into consideration, when understanding the enlargement process as more than an legal-economic phenomenon, but also as a process of cultural integration, national identity and personal perceptions.
Eastern Enlargement of the European Union brings about the questions of culture and national identity. Discussions leading up to the European Council in Copenhagen in December left the impression that the Enlargement is basically a legal and economic process. However, this paper will try to look into other aspects of these historical events. The enlargement goes much further. The enlargement is a process where cultures for half a century divided by politics are brought together. What are the consequences of this encounter? And what role does culture play in the process leading to enlargement?
The paper will present the key features of a number of traditional theories of integration, and assess what these theories can tell us about the current dynamics of EU’s enlargement with the former socialist regimes of Central and Eastern Europe. It is shown that existing theories only to a limited extend can grasp the realities of this process. A broader and deeper comprehension necessitates the application of a different set of concepts and ideas.

Steffens, Michael (University of Sheffield)
Institutional Cloning? The Twinning Exercise and the EU's Fifth Enlargment Process
Various enlargement rounds have led to the assumption that the EU's spread of membership is subject to a 'classical method'. The fifth enlargement towards the inclusion of Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs), however, has led to the creation of new policy instruments which also will become a common feature, in future enlargement rounds of the Community. This paper questions which changes had to be made to the 'classical method' of enlargement in order to accommodate the special circumstances under which the CEECs will enter the EU. It argues that the introduction of the Twinning exercise under the pre-accession aid programme Phare has partly led to institutional cloning between the applicant states' and the member states' administrations. While the secondment of member states civil servants to administrations in Eastern Europe is discussed within the context of EU enlargement, the paper singles out Twinning as the EU's key instrument for the support of public administration reform in Eastern Europe. It sheds light on the 1997 reform of Phare concerning the actors involved within the policy-setting and policy-shaping phase of the Twinning exercise.

Vasiljevic, Snjezana (University of Zagreb, Croatia)
European Citizenship and EU Enlargement
Citizenship of the Union to a large extent calls into question the issue of sovereignty of the member states. Confrontations between the interests of the member states and the EU are unavoidable. The conflicts are caused primarily by the differences of the laws on citizenship of the member states, and it is against this background that the citizenship of the Union must be analysed and identified.
It is possible that the term ‘European citizenship’ can be used as a collective term to describe the laws on citizenship of the member states. However, such a term has no clear content in itself. Citizenship in national terms varies considerably amongst the EC countries, above all concerning acquisition of citizenship and the legal consequences. In certain member states it is quite easy to become a citizen; in others it is harder. Many individuals are affected by the obvious inequities and differences which arise due to the splintered laws on citizenship. No uniform rules on citizenship exist in the EU countries, nor do common rules on how a citizen of the Union may obtain citizenship of a member state other than his country of origin. Differences between the laws on citizenship in the various member states are reflected directly in the citizenship of the Union.
One of the main weaknesses of the citizenship of the Union is its lack of independence. This lack of independence is due to fact that citizenship of the Union is totally founded on the splintered national concepts of nationality. The possibility of becoming a citizen of the Union varies according to where in the Union that person lives. One way of overcoming these differences, and thereby strengthening citizenship of the Union, would be to harmonize the laws on citizenship in the member states.
However, the main goal of European citizenship is to bring European citizens closer to the Union. In this respect, the perspectives and challenges of this new concept are an interesting topic for research. Moreover, this is very important in the process of the EU enlargement. It would be interesting to see how will the current concept of European citizenship, introduced by the Maastricht Treaty, reflect to nationals of new member states (after the EU’s fifth enlargement) in terms of fundamental rights protection. Consequently, European citizenship is one of the most challenging features of the EU polity formation.

Vilpišauskas, Ramūnas (Vilnius University)
The Final Stage of the EU-Accession Game: The Baltic States: From Late Comers to the Leaders
The paper suggested here covers several themes of the conference – the Accession process and its main features, the End-Game and selling the Copenhagen agreement to the public – by focusing on the accession of the three Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania – and the progress of their integrative efforts into the EU.
Despite in the beginning of 1990s being in the category of their own and uncertainties of even being considered as candidates to the EU, the Baltic states are in the group of 10 candidate countries which completed the accession negotiations in December 2002. Moreover, the Baltic states are often regarded as the success stories of both transition and accession into the EU.
First, the paper would provide a brief overview of the main principles of accession negotiations and their developments since the start in 1998 to December 2002 and to what extent they reflect broader features of EU’s enlargement policy.
Second, it will look closely into the outcomes of membership negotiations with the purpose of identifying potential latent distributional conflicts, locked-in by the terms of negotiations in certain chapters (for example, agriculture) agreed, which could influence the outcomes of the national referendums in the Baltic states, and their future roles as member states of the EU. It would look into the possibilities and possible implications of the Baltic states becoming the hostages of negative outcome of referendum in Poland.
Third, the paper will look into the changes that the progress in moving from association to accession has had (and will have) on the methods that the EU uses to influence the policies and polities of the Baltic states. It will take the issue of implementing EU acquis (of the membership criteria) as a horizontal case study to illustrate the changing nature of EU influence on the accession countries, the politics of conditionality and its likely fate after the accession.
Finally, the implications of the Baltic states accession on the development of EU relations with its new neighbors will be discussed. Again, the likely scenarios will become more clear after the EU and Russia finds an acceptable solution on Kaliningrad issue which could happen in November 2002. The paper will suggest in what ways can the accession of the Baltic influence the role of the EU in the region and it future relations with the new neighbors.
The paper will use insights from the theories of EU enlargement, membership negotiations and Europeanization. While its main focus is on illuminating domestic and foreign factors and implications of the Baltic states’ accession into the EU, it will also contribute to more general debate on the enlargement of the EU.