حدود الاتحاد الأوروبي الأبعاد الداخلية والخارجية (1992- 2014)
Date
2016-05-01
Authors
وعد حسن ديب الفرارجه
waad hassan deeb alfararjah
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AL-Quds University
جامعة القدس
جامعة القدس
Abstract
The Borders of the European Union (EU): Internal and International
Dimension (1992- 2014)
By: Waad Hassan Deeb Alfararjah
Supervised by Prof. Aziz Haider
The question of the unity and the borders are considered one of the greatest
issues that provoke a debate inside and outside the European Union (EU),
especially on the opportunities for new accession. This dissertation seeks to
investigate on the intersection between two main concepts, firstly the ideas
affecting the changes of the EU borders in regards to the ‘Schengen’ concept
and plan, in which resulted in borders abolishment, consolidation and
reintegration. Secondly, to investigate on the role of the EU policies to achieve
a union among the EU member states, highlighting on the position held by some
experts towards Turkey as a bridge to the Middle East.
This dissertation aims to analyze, compare and underline the borders of Europe,
the geographic borders that had been dividing Europe, and the role of the EU
in unifying Europe both in drawing new borders, and "eliminating" the
geographic borders will be scrutinized. The difference between the internal and
external borders of the EU will be discussed to reveal the impact of borders
abolishment designed by the Schengen stipulation, as well as to elaborate the
phrase migration and how it affects the EU external borders. Further, the
relationship between the EU and the new candidate countries will be
highlighted, while attention is drawn to the limitations of accepting new
members like Turkey.
Moreover, this study presumes that the more the EU is expanded, the harder it
will be to unify it. For widening, or expanding the borders, implies integrating
new countries in the EU, which becomes more diversified as a result, and thus more difficult to integrate new member countries to the EU. Further, the study
presumes that deepening the integration entails an increase in the criteria of the
EU institutions (i.e. the body of European law) which makes it more difficult
for countries to meet the set criteria and makes it harder to unify.
Overall, a historical, descriptive and analytical approach has been applied on
the issue of the EU borders.
The study has found that the process of unifying Europe has been a difficult
process, particularly due to key differences among various state members,
where each state has its own agenda, political and economic views and culture.
Although, the EU has achieved a lot, yet there are many restrictions and
obstacles that procrastinate further integration.
First, the introduction of the single passport where people are able to move
freely all over Europe is restricted, for example, the family, culture, language
and curriculum. It is true that the EU eliminate the internal borders, but there
are still many barriers that need to be eliminated.
Second, the EU opens its external border in front of the immigrants under the
condition that they fulfill the criteria of migration. However, there are many
obstacles that may delay further policies and increase the EU fear of accepting
immigrants, for instance, the increase of the unemployment rate, the existence
of the extremist political ideologies which were born and emerged in the
Middle East, such as ISIS that is threatening the EU stability and unity.
Third, the discussion of new candidate countries to the EU is limited; where
and which there are several limitations of accepting new members such as,
Turkey. This study reveals that the candidate country needs to fulfill all the
requirements and prerequisites determined to join the EU by the union. Yet,
however, the accession is selective, where the EU in some cases goes beyond
the laws and rules of accession for a political reason, as it is the case with the ex-communist countries that joined the Union though they did not fulfill the
Copenhagen criteria. The EU might also open its arms to integrate with Ukraine
even though Ukraine is still far from fulfilling the standards of accession.
Description
Keywords
الدراسات الاقليمية , Regional Studies