Printer FriendlyChair: Conor Baldwin
The organization that eventually became the European Union (EU) was initially founded in reaction to a war-ravaged European economy. In 1957, the Treaty of Rome established the European Economic Community (EEC), which aimed to create a common European market, reduce limitations on international trade and promote peace and liberty throughout the European states. The topics to be discussed during this session of the European Union include the accession of Turkey into the EU, establishing a common policy on climate change and the future of the European Union.
- Accession of Turkey to the European Union
- Establishing a Common Policy on Climate Change
- The Future of the European Union
I. Accession of Turkey to the EU
The Republic of Turkey is a Eurasian country that stretches across the Anatolian peninsula in southwest Asia and the Balkan region of southeastern Europe. Turkey is a democratic, secular, and constitutional republic whose political system was established after the fall of the Ottoman Empire in World War I. Throughout the twentieth century, Turkey has become increasingly integrated with the West, despite its overwhelming Muslim population and spiritual ties to the Middle East. Turkey is a founding member of the United Nations (UN), the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, as well as a member state of the Council of Europe (since 1949) and of NATO (since 1952).
Currently, Turkey is reviving attempts to gain full member status within the European Union (EU), in light of recent economic recovery and political stability. The process of Turkey’s accession has been ongoing since the nation’s original application to the European Economic Community in 1959. However, constant economic and political turbulence throughout the late twentieth century has stalled the admission process considerably. In addition, several European nations, notably Austria and France, have attempted to block Turkey’s accession attempts due to human rights violations, territorial disputes (most notably in Cyprus and Azerbaijan), and geographic ambiguity (only 13% of Turkey actually lies within Europe’s borders). The issue of Cyprus, a current EU member, has been one of the biggest obstacles to Turkey’s accession thus far. Foreign objection is an obstacle in accession, however there is also domestic opposition from many Turks who feel Westernization would have negative effects upon the nation.
Supporters of Turkey’s accession have pointed towards their tremendous economic growth over the past 10 years, which would have positive effects on the overall economy of the EU. Turkey had an economic growth rate of 7% between 2004 and 2005, nearly four times higher than any other European nation during that time span . The accession of Turkey to the European Union would present the world with an unprecedented opportunity to bridge the widening gap between the East and the Western World. Turkey’s population is 99.8% Muslim (mostly Sunni) and accepting the nation into a pan-European organization could be ominous of future cooperation between Islam and the West.
According to Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union, any European country may apply for membership if it respects the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law . Accession, however, can only follow if the given European country fulfils all 35 criteria for accession (acquis communautaire) which were fixed by the European Council in Copenhagen in 1993 and reinforced by the European Council in Madrid in 1995. The earliest date that Turkey could enter the EU is 2013, the date when the next six-year EU budget will come into force. Turkey is currently aiming to comply with EU law by this date, but Brussels has refused to back 2013 as a deadline. Austria has also shown resistance and has suggested allowing Turkey only partial membership. Turkey has, however, received support from other EU nations, such as Greece. It has been speculated that the accession process could take up to fifteen years.
Key Ideas
- Future implications of enlargement for nations not totally in Europe
- Effects of accession on Christian-Muslim relations
- Economic impact of allowing Turkey to enter EU
- Impact of an Islamic nation entering the EU
- Revising criteria for accession
II. Establishing a common European policy on Climate Change
One of the most pressing issues in the post-industrialized world has been society’s ecological footprint upon the environment. The European Union (EU) has realized the urgency of this issue and has taken several critical steps towards reversing man’s negative effects on nature due to industrialization. In 1991, the EU introduced the first community strategy to reduce carbon emissions and to promote renewable energy sources, in order to sever society’s dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels. The EU also played a key role in the development of the two major treaties addressing the issue, the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol, agreed in 1997. The objective of the Kyoto Protocol is the “stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system." In June 2000, the EU launched the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP). The goal of the ECCP is to identify and develop all the necessary elements of an EU strategy to implement the Kyoto Protocol.
The EU has been at the forefront of global policies concerning climate change, but many of their global partners in North America and Asia have been reluctant to parallel European reforms. In 2005 the Second European Climate Change Programme (ECCP II) was established with several working groups, each designed to combat specific areas effecting the environment. These groups include: ECCP I Review (with 5 subgroups: transport, energy supply, energy demand, non-CO2 gases, & agriculture), aviation, CO2 and cars, carbon capture and storage, adaptation, and an EU Emission Trading Scheme Review. These areas will all be touched upon in any effective discussion of creating a common European policy towards Climate Change. Also, the EU must discuss ways to entice non-European nations to comply with regulations and standards, whether in the United States (which did not sign the Kyoto Protocol) or in rapidly industrializing China. The legislative measures currently in force or already proposed by the Commission:
- Directive on the promotion of electricity from renewable energy sources
- Directive on the energy performance of buildings
- Landfill directive
- Proposals for a directive on emissions trading
- Proposals for the promotion of bio-fuels
- Proposal for a directive on the promotion of CHP.
Other measures are also under consideration by the Commission Services, such as integrating climate change into structural funds, further steps to stimulate the use of renewable energy sources for heating applications, the integration of energy efficiency in the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), and measures to reduce greenhouse emissions of air conditioners in automobiles. A successful discussion will touch upon many, if not all, of these issues and address possible solutions to the problems.
Key Ideas
- New renewable energy services
- A framework for the eco-design of energy using products
- Containment and restriction of fluorinated gases
- A campaign for take-off and public awareness on energy efficiency
- Public procurement of interest in environmental protection
- Ways to generate concern from industrializing, as well as industrialized nations outside of Europe
III. The future of the European Union/EU Reform
As the EU marks its 50th anniversary as an international organization, its Member States have expressed a renewed interest in reforming the Union itself to more adequately deal with problems in a new century. In 2004 the Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe was signed by representatives from each of the member states. This treaty would establish a single constitution for the EU members, but required unanimous approval in order to be passed. In 2005 both French and Dutch voters rejected the treaty during a national referendum, which caused the treaty to fail. Many of the complaints by objectors pointed towards the constitution’s violations of national sovereignty, as well as the Treaty’s attitudes towards religion and economic policy. A proposed replacement for the Treaty was drafted in June 2007, which hoped to resolve many of the contentious points of the previous treaty. This new treaty, known as the Reform Treaty, will be under deliberation by the European Parliament in the fall of 2007.
In order to come to agreement over a supranational constitution, EU members must resolve the power balance between the European Union and its members. The UK and the Czech Republic have expressed displeasure with the former treaty’s inability to allow member states to opt out of EU policy guidelines. There was also significant opposition from France over language included in the constitution concerning religion. Another aspect of the constitution which must be addressed before obtaining a unanimous vote would be the relation between a nation’s voting power and its population. Poland had been one of the loudest critics concerning this aspect of the proposed constitution.
Due to the requirement for a unanimous vote, establishing a comprehensive reform treaty will take a great deal of negotiating and compromise. Each nation wishes to protect its own national self-interest, but also understands the benefits of a strong union amongst the European countries.
Key Ideas
- Maintaining state sovereignty in a supranational organization
- Allowing states the right to sign the treaty with reservations
- Outlining the role of, and respect for, religion in the EU
- Developing a fair system of voting