ENLARGEMENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND PROTECTION OF ITS FINANCIAL INTERESTS

Kostić, Jelena (2014) ENLARGEMENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND PROTECTION OF ITS FINANCIAL INTERESTS. In: The Old and the New World Order between European integration and the historical burdens. Institute of International Politics and Economics, Belgrade, pp. 541-561. ISBN 978-86-7067-207-9

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Abstract

The idea of establishing the European Union had emerged before the First World War, when Dimitrije Mitrinović drafted a platform on unification of Europe. The then goal of unification was to prevent war in the European region through mutual dialogue and cooperation. After the Second World War, it was realized that the goal of establishing of such a community should not only be political, but also economic interests. In the beginning, the European Community members had been economically stronger countries, however, in the following years, economically weaker countries also joined; hence, it was necessary to build mechanisms to maintain its fiscal stability. Countries that want to join the European Union must meet certain criteria defined in 1993, which are known as the Copenhagen criteria. Two years later, the criteria were expanded, thus the obligation of all EU membership aspiring countries is to harmonize their institutions and legislation with the EU acquis contained in regulations adopted at the level of the said community. During the accession process, countries receive technical and financial assistance through the pre-accession funds. In order to protect itself from misuse of its funds, the European Union passed several regulations in 1990s. Financial stability is of crucial importance for the functioning of the Community, but it is quite certain that it has been threatened by the access of less economically developed countries. However, countries in the process of stabilization and accession to the European Union should not only implement the regulations of the said community related to the protection of its financial interests, but should also create an institutional framework that would allow for such protection as well as implement regulations that would allow for efficient fight against corruption at the national level. Fulfilment of the requirements for membership is a test of the ability of future member states to protect the interests of the European Union and to adapt to new challenges.

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