This study analyzed the integration policy and process of the Eastern and Western Europe centering upon the 5th enlargement of the European Union(EU) in 2004 which accepted the eight countries of the Middle and Eastern Europe as a new member. Western ...
This study analyzed the integration policy and process of the Eastern and Western Europe centering upon the 5th enlargement of the European Union(EU) in 2004 which accepted the eight countries of the Middle and Eastern Europe as a new member. Western Europe has been keeping up liberal democracy and capitalism. On the other hand, Eastern Europe has experienced socialism and communism under the rule of the former Soviet Union, and this is an attempt to achieve a lesson for the South-North unification in the future from its experience of integration.
With no communication for nearly half a century under the Cold War, it wasn't easy to reunify under the roof of the EU for Eastern Europe and Western Europe. There was a big gap in economy, and there was difference between not only political and social systems, but also within people's values or way of thinking. Because of this, the EU proceeded a long-term, multi-layered preparation, distinctive from the enlargement until the 4th when it accepted other Western European countries as their member.
This study assembled politic, economic and foreign policies which the EU promoted to get ready for the 5th enlargement; from 1989 after the fall of the Berlin Wall until 2004 when the Middle and Eastern European countries join the EU. And it also examines what the Eastern European countries tried to do to fulfill the proposed conditions that were given from the EU.
Following that, it looks into the deepening policy of integration, came in earnest after the enlargement. The attempt of deepening in order to enhance a strong community spirit based on the tie between members was shown in various social, cultural, educational policies. In social policy, social engagement of the weak and the minority was highlighted in addition to employment and labor welfare policy. And in the field of culture and education, the policy has been developed to a direction of expanding mutual understanding and exchanges within the young generation. With the consensus that external growth is not the solution of true integration spreading among the EU, these attempts are constantly strengthening itself since the 2000’s.
The final goal of these integration policies is the construction of ‘The United States of Europe’ and an establishment of identity and sense of unity as a ‘European citizen’. To overcome the different nature between members which have increased to 27 countries since the 5th enlargement, the EU suggested a philosophical basis called ‘Unity in Diversity’. In specific methods, the flexibility of the policy was pursued to avoid unilateral demand of Western Europe to Eastern Europe. ‘Open Method of Coordination’ is considered as a flexible approach adopted by the EU to admit the disparity of the members and reflect the gap in speed of performance. Finally, this kind of approach, philosophy and goal of integration was analyzed. Despite its limitations and side effects, East-West European integration by the EU presents a reference for our preparing of inter-Korean unification such as the following.
EU, leaded by western developed countries, delivered a long-term, full point support and preparation to embrace Eastern Europe. They also invested in infrastructures of these countries to eliminate the economic gap, and made various political efforts to overcome the problem of social difference. Moreover, attempts to respect the diversity of culture, history, religion and language have been continued.
However, to successfully apply this integration model in our case, the change in North Korea's attitude should be the premise. The Middle and Eastern European countries not only proceeded on system transition since the collapse of the socialism, but also made active effort to meet the many demanding conditions for joining the EU. It should be pointed out that such voluntary cooperation and mutual response was one of the most important force that could proceed the integration.