Conclusions

Abstract

This book has examined EU influence on Polish foreign policy after the Enlargement, as well as the way in which Poland contributed to EU foreign policy between 2004 and 2014. It has shown that contrary to previous assumptions,1 Poland adapted rapidly to the EU despite a lack of membership conditionality after accession. Adaptation, however, only occurred as Poland recognized opportunities resulting from participation in the CFSP. These included widening the scope of Polish external relations and strengthening its position vis-à-vis its Eastern neighbors with relatively low resultant costs. Poland proved to be a rational utility maximizer driven by potential benefits in the area of external relations. It was widely acknowledged that Poland decided to relinquish some of its newly acquired sovereignty because of economic profits and the stability offered by the EU. That is one reason behind the power of EU membership conditionality before the accession. As Poland was not able to recognize the benefits of CFSP participation before the Enlargement, there was low adaptation in the area of foreign policy. Only visible profits, namely the rise of State position, greater bargaining power in negotiations with external actors, and the ability to shape the Eastern agenda in the EU motivated domestic changes.KeywordsForeign PolicyExternal RelationGreat Bargaining PowerEastern NeighborRational Utility MaximizerThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.