Assist. Prof., Dr. Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Department of International Relations, Eskisehir/Turkey, ramazanerdag@yahoo.com.
1This article is enhanced and updated version of the paper titled “The Impact of Enlargement of EU on International Security” which was presented at 5th EuPRA General Conference, Sakarya University, 21–24 August 2007.
Security studies have gained new perspectives since end of the Cold War. With new concepts, threat perceptions changed, alliances and unions have become mandatory. On the other hand countries’ different perception of terrorism weakened fight against it. The new security regime points out that states and groups have to move in a coherent manner against security threats. In the new era, security could not be provided without collaboration. With collapse of USSR new states have appeared in the world arena and, they needed to be secure against former states. In this context Eastern Europe states gained independency against USSR and after dissolving Warsaw Pact these new nation-states first joined NATO and than European Union (EU). This integration assisted widening of democracy and peace and prevented probable conflicts in the region relatively. Global terrorism begun to threaten not only a country or region but also almost the entire world after 9/11. Especially developing and underdeveloped countries are the most effected.
EU, the most important unification in the world, enlarged six times before reaching its current 27 members. It has got ten new member countries in 2004 and two countries at the beginning of 2007 (Bulgaria and Romania). Croatia has completed the negotiation process and will join the EU in mid-2013. The official candidate status has been granted of Turkey, Serbia, Macedonia3, Iceland and Montenegro. EU's enlargement got together the countries which were enemies at past. Today these countries share common values and try to implement same policies. Especially after terror attacks in London and Madrid, Europe has needed more contribution to solve terror problems. In this context this study aims to indicate the function of enlargement of EU on international security issues and the importance of alliance against global terrorism. The peacekeeping operations showed the role of EU on establishing faith and stability and providing international security in the world.
European Union, Enlargement, International Security
