About us

Mission Statement

Located at Central European University in Budapest, the new Center for EU Enlargement Studies is dedicated to making recent and upcoming enlargements work, by contributing to the debate on the future of the EU and by exploring the results and lessons of previous EU enlargements. Research activities, however, are not limited only to the analysis of previous enlargements, but also to the potential effects that a wider extension of the EU’s sphere of influence may have on bordering regions. The center will disseminate its research findings and conclusions through publications and events such as conferences and public lectures. It will serve as an international forum for discussing the road that lies ahead for Europe, and hopes to serve preparations for any coming accession by providing thorough analyses of pertinent topics. The center plans to provide policy advice addressed to the governments of countries in Europe and its larger neighborhood, as well as to keep decision-makers in the European Parliament, the EU Commission, the Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and other EU organs informed. It further wishes to achieve and maintain high academic excellence in all its research endeavors.

Background

The door has been left wide open for the potential accession of new member states to the European Union as underlined by the Draft Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe, which states that "the Union is open to all European States.” This challenging possibility both creates and maintains a permanent state of conflict between aspiring members and the EU itself. And even within member states, opinions often diverge about the eligibility or the timing of the accession of neighboring countries. Nevertheless, while the EU sets rigorous entry criteria and lengthy procedures for accession, this does not dampen the enthusiasm of candidates. And, at the same time, the political tension that is also created increases the chances for compromises in the decision-making process (e.g., membership may be promised to unprepared countries, accession negotiations can start before all the necessary preconditions are met, etc.). Thus possibly the greatest challenge facing the EU in the twenty-first century is how to expand the union, while at the same time making common policies and the institutional structure functional. This challenge calls for reforms as well as alternative solutions in order to make enlargements work. Establishing new types of closer relations with aspiring members is one often-mentioned alternative to further enlargements, because it can allow the broader neighborhood of the EU to take part in EU activities without directly and immediately overloading the EU budget and crippling its governing and decision-making capacities. And as a consequence, the general norms and values of the EU can be extended throughout an even larger region.

The Center

Research is directed by Péter Balázs, professor in the Department of International Relations and European Studies and former Member of the European Commission. The center brings together a network of scholars and PhD students from CEU, as well as from other universities across Europe. This network involves a growing number of research institutes, NGOs, individuals, professional federations, and regional and local bodies around the EU. One strategic partner is the worldwide network of the European Community Studies Association (ECSA).

The aim of this ever-widening network is to share publications, academic events and expertise related to EU expansion. Plans for the future include setting up an advisory board, which will be constituted from scholars, politicians, diplomats and representatives of those involved in the formation of the center. Central European University is a research-intensive university aiming at academic excellence, and its record of not shying away from intellectual risk-taking makes it the ideal host institution for the center.

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International Board

To Be Announced