Strengthening State Capacity: Lessons for the EU's Next Enlargement
EU membership is transformational but also highly demanding. Visnja Vukov (University of Vienna) considers how the EU can strengthen state capacity in candidate countries so that they are ready to join and flourish as members. (2024:19epa)
The problems relating to the rule of law and democracy in certain of the countries which joined the EU in 2004 and 2007 are well known. Nevertheless, in other respects – not least economically – the ‘big bang’ enlargement has been an enormous success. Research shows that state capacity was a crucial factor behind this success, enabling these economies to withstand competitive pressures and grow.
Today, enlargement is again a top EU priority. However, concerns remain about how well prepared the candidate states are to function as members of the Union and to benefit from membership of the single market. Are those concerns valid? And if so, what can be done?
This European Policy Analysis considers four types of state capacity understood to be crucial for successful economic integration: a well-functioning and independent judiciary, an effective public administration, adequate regulatory capacity, and the promotion of economic development.
In each case, Vukov examines how the EU helped states increase these capacities ahead of the previous enlargement and assesses the existing capacities of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. In light of this evidence, the author recommends actions to increase these capacities, and thereby help ensure that the next enlargement to the East is not just possible, but a success.
Read more of SIEPS’ analysis of EU enlargement here.