Britain, Germany, and EU Enlargement: Partners or Competitors?

Description

British and German support for eastward enlargement of the EU has been crucial in driving the process forward and giving it momentum; unless this commitment continues, and strengthens, the process could falter. Yet not only have Britain and Germany had very different views on EU integration for many years, they also have different geopolitical interest, and very different involvement, in central and eastern Europe. This study, by leading British and German experts in the field, presents a new analysis of British and German interests in enlargement and assesses their contemporary policy approaches. Based on economic analysis policy documentation and interviews with key policymakers, it considers the scope for Britain and Germany to work together on enlargement, as well as highlighting the areas that could drive them apart.

Barbara Lippert is director, Institut for Europaische Politik (IEP), Bonn. Heather Grabbe is at the University of Birmingham. Kirsty Hughes is Lecturer in Law at the University of Cambridge.