Smart states realise that to get anything done in the EU they need allies in all policy areas. If their priorities involve a significant amount of money they need to get a net contributor member state involved, Haughton argues.
Speaking in Bratislava following a conference on decision-making and priority identification in the new EU member states, Haughton says that "it makes sense" for the new member states to make allies from the EU-15 bloc.
"It makes sense - not necessarily to have just one ally - but it is very helpful to have a number of different allies. It is especially good if you can get one of the big member states on board," he said.
Despite some countries like Poland having pushed hard for initiatives such as the Eastern Partnership, they had to share the credit for their success with their more experienced allies, such as Sweden in this particular case. But it is of course the result that counts, the scholar argues.
"By working with other member states in pushing initiatives you increase your visibility at the European level and you help to create the image that you are a positive and constructive state," Haughton advised the newcomers.
As for the fact that some newcomers, such as the Visegrad group of countries - Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary - were recently criticised by French President Nicolas Sarkozy for holding meetings ahead of EU summits, Haughton said his reaction was understandable, because Sarkozy is against anything that could potentially dilute the power and influence of France.
"He is perhaps worried that if this kind of grouping meets regularly, they will arrive like a solid block behind a particular initiative and maybe make it difficult for France to get its way," the analyst said.
Haughton admitted that decisions are made more slowly in the enlarged EU than they were with 15 members. He said the Lisbon Treaty was designed to improve its functioning, but it is too early to judge its effect since it only became effective in December 2009.
