IMPACT OF NATO AND EUROPEAN UNION POLICIES 47 pages, pdf  Download Back

IMPACT OF NATO AND EUROPEAN UNION POLICIES

Publisher: Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College

Volume: 47 pages, pdf

Description: 

This section examines current EU, NATO, and U.S. policy toward the states of Eastern Europe that have not acceded to the two key Western institutions. It also explores how the prospect of either inclusion or exclusion from the EU and NATO may affect the progress of domestic reforms, the development of regional relations, and the growing role of Russia.

NATO membership has proved to be more easily achievable for candidate countries than EU accession for several reasons. The criteria for Alliance entry are more specific and achievable, as compared to the protracted transformations demanded of candidates for the EU. The NATO Alliance is based on the sovereignty of its members rather than the “pooling of sovereignty” required by the EU, which necessitates uniformity rather than diversity.24 In addition, NATO has upheld an open door policy for potential candidates, and its expansion is not contingent on public approval among current member states but on governmental and parliamentary support.