Tag: Absorption capacity

This article, by Katinka Barysch of the Centre for European Reform, argues that the absorption-capacity debate has so far only looked at the negative side of the enlargement balance sheet.

European People's Party MEP Alexander Stubb favours institutional reform to accommodate further enlargement, but thinks that “absorption capacity” should not be a formal criterion for candidate countries.

This paper, issued by the European Policy Centre, argues that a definition of absorption capacity will have little or no impact on the public’s opinion of enlargement.

The Commission president has announced the accession of Bulgaria and Romania in 2007 under toughened conditions, but also declared an “enlargement pause”. [includes link to report]

Frank Vibert (Director of the European Policy Forum) argues that the debate on the EU's "absorption capacity" is in fact "a diversion" from the real challenges facing Europe today.