Balancing on a tightrope: Pre-accession policy and the pursuit of EU values

Abstract

In the wake of the full-scale Russian invasion, Ukraine applied for membership of the European Union. It was shortly followed by Moldova and Georgia also expressing a desire to join the EU. Almost overnight, EU enlargement became a geopolitical matter forcing the EU and its Member States to revive the stalled rapprochement of the Western Balkan countries and process the Eastern European aspirants’ applications. Bearing in mind that all contemporary candidates have a chequered history of compliance with the rule of law standards, the question emerges as to whether the geopolitical desiderata should trump EU values and thus open the door to fast accessions. This article argues that the dilemma is not new and that the EU has been balancing on a tightrope for many years now. The analysis shows the evolution of pre-accession policy and claims that the EU is procedurally well equipped to pursue its values as listed in Article 2 TEU. While candidates cannot be forced into accession against their will, the EU’s allure, combined with resolutely used conditionality and benchmarking, may bear fruit. While there is no guarantee of success, the EU should pull its weight as the failure of its pre-accession policy would further exacerbate the threats posed by Russian neo-imperialism.