On-line journal no. 4 – July 2012 - Modelling the New Europe

On-line Journal Modelling the New Europe
Issue no. 4/2012
God 80 . One can see just how much importance has been given to these moral guiding lines.
It is essential to note however that these values do not only provide the common guiding
lines for the Union’s Member States, but are also constantly present in its portfolio of
foreign and diplomatic relations with the rest of the world.
Despite the fact that in recent decades the European Union has become several states larger
(currently numbering 27 members with several more planned to accede in the future 81 ) and
now covers a massive 4 million square kilometers which are home to nearly 500 million
individuals 82 , the base values which its creators envisioned have not changed. Even now
the values which have backed all of the Union’s foreign and domestic policies serve as an
example to nations across the globe. The aid given to countries in need, the encouragement
of cross-border relations, the offering of democratic models to former communist states
and the facilitation of relations between Eastern and Western Europe after the fall of the
Berlin Wall are but a few examples. 83 Needless to say, this strong set of values was the
very key to over 50 years of solidity, prosperity and, most importantly, peace.
Decision taking without a strong value base is just like acting without thinking, with
devastating consequences in the long run. For example, a great extent of the process of
European integration is based on the candidate’s state capacity and willingness to adhere to
the value system that governs the European Union (we find this in the case of Turkey, who
has had difficulty adopting the system of values required to becoming a Member State 84 ).
If its united governments were to disregard commonly adopted values as a mandatory
criterion, then the process of European integration will be driven purely by factors such as
economic importance, commercial potential or geographical and strategic position. This
80 Michael Emerson, “What Values for Europe? The Ten Commandments” in CEPS Policy Brief, No. 65,
2005, p. 1.
81 European Commission, Enlargement – Candidate Countries, 2012,
[http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/candidate-countries/index_en.htm], consulted on 30.05.2012.
82 Living in the EU, [http://europa.eu/about-eu/facts-figures/living/index_en.htm], consulted on 30.05.2012.
83 Delegation of the European Commission to the United States, “The EU: A Community of Values” in EU
Focus, November, 2005, p. 2.
84 Chase Cavanaugh, Turkey’s Difficult Entry into the European Union, 2011,
[http://www.thewashingtonreview.org/articles/turkeys-difficult-entry-into-the-european-union.html],
consulted on 17.05.2012.
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