The EU’s Absorptive Capacity: Key Aspects and Questions Cover Image
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Absorptionskapazität der Europäischen Union – eine Orientierungshilfe
The EU’s Absorptive Capacity: Key Aspects and Questions

Author(s): Siegfried Schultz, Ulrich Brasche
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences
Published by: Südosteuropa Gesellschaft e.V.

Summary/Abstract: In the political debate on EU enlargement, “absorptive capacity” is gaining importance. For years, the term has been part of official usage (recently converted to “capacity to integrate”) without being defined clearly. In an attempt to help clarifying its notion, the term is being broken down into four objective components: institutional operability, economic compatibility, financial-budgetary capacity, and achievement of (strategic and energy) security requirements. On the basis of this distinction, perceived or actual problems must be resolved also in the Union of the 27 member states. With an increasing number of members, however, tensions may be accentuated, not created. If the scope for political lay-out is being properly used, future enlargement will also have the potential to be beneficial for both old and new members.

  • Issue Year: 2007
  • Issue No: 03
  • Page Range: 6-19
  • Page Count: 14
  • Language: German