The Brussels and Copenhagen European Councils of 2002

The Making of the New Europe

Based on a large number of unpublished as well as published documents and numerous interviews with decision-makers throughout Europe, it provides a lively and authoritative account of a process that literally changed the political map of Europe.

It begins with a lengthy review of the background, including the Union’s four previous enlargements, its uncertain response to the collapse of the Soviet Union, the decision at Copenhagen in 1993 to prepare for the accession of at least twelve new member states, the reluctance of important actors in the Union to come to terms with what this decision implied, the turning point in 1999, including the Berlin Council’s agreement on the EU’s budgetary framework until 2006, the appointment of the Prodi Commission and the Helsinki Council’s decision to open negotiations with all twelve candidates, rather than just the six front runners, and to give the green light to Turkey’s candidature.

The principal focus of the book is nevertheless on developments in 2002. The subjects that are covered are wide ranging and important, including as they do the final stages of the negotiations themselves, the financing of enlargement, CAP reform, the search for a settlement in Cyprus, negotiations with Russia concerning the future of Kaliningrad, the political upheaval in Turkey following the elections of November 2002, and the Union’s efforts to establish an autonomous military capability. Although the main actors were the EU institutions, and more particularly the Presidency, the Commission and the Council, the book gives a great deal of attention to political developments both within and between member states. There are for example important sections on the Irish referenda on the Nice Treaty and the Dutch political crisis of 2002. Some of the most fascinating parts of the book throw fresh light on the growing split between small and large states and on the struggle for leadership of the new and enlarged Union between France and Germany on the one side, and Britain and Spain on the other. As furthermore few of these internal developments can be properly understood apart from increasing transatlantic tensions, particularly but by no means exclusively concerning the best way to deal with Iraq, the book also provides important insights into developments beyond Europe.

Peter Ludlow is widely recognised as one of the leading experts on the politics and institutions of the European. A professional historian, he taught in the University of London and at the European University Institute in Florence, before becoming the founding director of CEPS in Brussels in 1981. Described by the Financial Times as the ‘ultimate networker in the Brussels bureaucracy’, he has a profound knowledge of, and unrivalled access to, the EU’s decision-making processes.

• Publisher: EuroComment Diffusion
• Author: Peter Ludlow
• Language: English
• Type: Paperback

Price: 50.00 €

Price is exclusive shipping costs. For sales inside Belgium 6% VAT is added to the book price.