EU Development Research Articles

Resistance to EU integration? Norm collision in the coordination of development aid

ABSTRACTThis article contributes to the contemporary foreign policy debate about how norms influence policymakers’ behaviour. Hypotheses of norm-driven action are frequently dismissed when norms are inconsistently followed. However, values may collide, which might provide an explanation for such apparent inconsistencies. Drawing on recent constructivist literature on the contestation of norms, I discuss why integration in EU development policy was resisted. I ask if resistance was due to the wish to maintain national control over policies or if the so-called like-minded countries’ resistance was due to a conflict of normative concerns regarding how to best achieve coordination. The study contributes by developing an empirically relevant hypothesis of norm collision which lends itself well for theoretical generalisation. In addition, the article provides new empirical knowledge about EU development policy by identifying the tension between securing country ownership and donor involvement as a crucial factor contributing to resistance to EU integration.

The Triangular Relationship Between Nationality, EU Citizenship and Migration in EU Law: A Tale of Competing Competences

Within the legal framework of the EU, the Member States have remained competent to regulate who qualifies as a national. As nationals of a Member State are simultaneously EU citizens and enjoy the right to intra-EU mobility, it is the Member States who, through their Nationality Laws, determine who is to be classed as an EU citizen and who enjoys the right to intra-EU mobility. This article explores whether Member State competence to regulate nationality matters has been affected by the introduction of EU citizenship and/or developments in intra-EU mobility rights, the contents of which are determined primarily by the EU.

Security Cooperation in EU–China Relations: Towards Convergence?

Over the past decade, the EU and China have expanded their relations beyond a focus on economic and trade issues into the sphere of security. This is particularly evident when security is seen to encompass a variety of policy domains – from traditional, military security to nontraditional human security. However, this development has not followed an even or linear path: the record of EU–China security cooperation has been varied across different policy domains, with distinct temporal trajectories. This article addresses the question of why security cooperation between the two sides has advanced in certain policy domains while having faltered in others. Based on an expert survey of European and Chinese scholars, we explore both interest-driven and experience-driven explanations. Our analysis identifies a number of key events in the development of EU–China relations that have been critical in terms of initiating and enhancing cooperation in specific domains. Overall, we find that past experience with actual cooperation, rather than declared intentions, best explains the pattern of cooperation over time.

Neofunctionalism and EU external policy integration: the case of capacity building in support of security and development (CBSD)

ABSTRACT Under the umbrella of Capacity Building in Support of Security and Development (CBSD), the EU provides equipment and infrastructure to the armed forces of partner countries. The 2017 reform of the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP) to implement CBSD represents a remarkable integrative step at the interface of EU security and development policy. This article explains the IcSP reform through a neofunctionalist lens. It argues that the extension of the Commission’s competences in EU security affairs can be explained by the interaction of functional and cultivated spillover pressures. Functional discrepancies between the CSDP framework and EU development policy created strong pressures for further integrative steps. Moreover, the Commission exerted strong pressures for adopting its proposal for implementing CBSD through the IcSP by drawing on a combination of strategic coalition-building, bargaining tactics and community framing. The case illustrates neofunctionalism’s potential to explain external policy integration.

The Economic Policy of European Union (by Case of center and Periphery countries)

Building of the new economic strategy for Ukraine, focused on Eurointegration, makes one consider for both positive and possible negative effects of the European Union’s development for Ukraine. The Ukrainian economy is forced to implement reforms of the internal and external economic component by relying on EU practices in integration reforms.
 The importance of this topic is caused by the need to investigate the impact of the single economic course pursued by EU on setting priority areas of reforms of domestic economic policies in center and periphery countries of this integration association. The article’s objective is to reveal the content of the socio-economic policy in EU and its impact on the EU operation in terms of the relationship between the performance of center and periphery countries.
 The studies presented in the articles show that the economic integration has complex character and calls for detailed analysis of internal and external processes in countries as components of the system at macroeconomic level of the integration association. Based on the analysis of the above mentioned regional distribution of EU, the following EU countries (most successful and most problematic) were selected as representative ones for the study: Germany and France as “center”, and Greece and Hungary as “periphery”. A socio-economic analysis of key indicators is made, and the role of each of the above countries in the EU development is revealed. A comparative analysis of the selected EU countries is made through trend analysis; their development outlook is given. 
 The achievement of the goals of the single EU strategy is analyzed by priority areas of economic policy reforms in the member countries, intended to stabilize their economies: i) recover the fiscal stability; ii) ensure the financial stability; iii) implement the reforms promoting growth and employment; and iv) modernize the public sector. The analysis confirms the prospect of strong economic positions for center countries, which is shown by the approximation ratio that was close to 1 in all the studied cases. Due to the problems of periphery countries, highlighted in the article, these countries may be incapable to meet the convergence criteria fixed in the EU strategy or pursue the single economic course, thus creating a threat of economic crisis for the whole EU.

Factors Affecting the Relationship between Research and Development (R&D) and Economic Development in EU

This paper explores the relation between R&D and economic growth using data from the EU-28 countries for the period 2001-2014. We consider panel data econometric techniques and control variables commonly used in the literature are analyzed together with a number of other variables to which existing studies often give little attention. Our results suggest that R&D expenditure and the patents (European Patent Office – EPO) have a positive and significant effect on economic growth for all countries.

EUROPEANEXPERIENCE OF REGIONAL CLUSTERS FORMATION

In this work the role and the meaning of regional clusters in EU are discussed. It is also said that the clustered politics is the new direction in the Politics of the Economic development, and also the clustering is very weak on the modern level of the Economic development of EU. One task is to show the clustering potential in increasing the competitiveness both in the country and in the regions. As the world practice shows us the cluster approach is not only the mean to reach goals of the industrial politics, (structural changes, increasing competitiveness, intensification of new courses and etc.) at the same time this is a powerful tool to stimulate regional development, which at the end may be seen in the trade balance stimulation of the regions, also in raising the employment, in budgets of different levels and in increasing the salary, in raising the industrial Sustainability and competitiveness of the regions.

Turkey’s compliance with the European Union’s development policy: a pattern of external differentiated integration?

ABSTRACTTurkey’s relations with the European Union are at a stalemate, with accession negotiations effectively frozen. Yet, Turkey opts into the EU acquis in multiple policy areas, where its voluntary compliance-prior to or an alternative to accession, could be conceptualized as external differentiated integration. We analyse Turkish compliance into the EU acquis in one policy area: Development policy. We assess Turkey’s opting into the EU rules on development policy from the perspective of three key factors, institutional structure, volume of aid and geographical focus. We argue that Turkey’s alignment with the EU development acquis is most visible in the institutional structure of Turkish foreign aid, and its increasing volume. Yet, there is also a highly visible divergence between Turkey and the EU in terms of geographical focus, acting as an element of competition in development policy. The transformation of Turkey’s development policy enhances Turkey’s opting into the EU acquis.

Ethical Standards in the Process of Counteracting Financial Abuse with Regard to EU Budget Funds. The Case of Poland

In accordance with the binding regulations of the EU law, each institution participating in the EU funds management process has in place relevant procedures preventing fraud and corruption and discouraging people from taking such actions. Managing institutions that work in cooperation with organisations which participate in the implementation of EU funds ensures the operation of an effective fraud risk management system and the implementation of effective anti‑fraud means which are designed to protect the financial interests of the European Union. The ethical norms and principles implemented in institutions which coordinate the process of EU funds management are of great importance for the process of reducing fraud related to EU funds. It was confirmed with the results of research carried out that clearly defined standards of employee conduct and determining procedures in the management and control system were the most important factors mitigating the irregularities. A special place was reserved for complying with the norms of ethical conduct and honesty by the employees of institutions managing the EU funds and development of a Code of Ethics which describes the conduct of the employees of institutions participating in the EU funds management process. The anti‑fraud procedures presented herein stem from EU law and are applicable in Poland.

The main achievements of the EU structural funds 2007?2013 in the EU member states: efficiency analysis of transport sector

Research background: The European Union currently provides financial support to the Member States through various financial tools from European Structural and Investment Funds 2014?2020, and previously from the EU Structural Funds. In both terminologies, the funds represent the main instrument of EU Cohesion Policy to sustain territorial development, to increase competitiveness and to eliminate regional disparities. The overall impact of EU Funds depends on the structure of funding and absorption capacity of the country.
 Purpose of the article: The efficiency of funding across the EU Member States is a fundamental issue for EU development as a whole. The Author considers deter-mining the efficiency of EU Funds as an issue of high importance, and therefore this paper provides a contribution to the debate on the role of EU Cohesion Policy in the Member States. The paper focuses on territorial effects of relevant EU Funds in programming period 2007?2013 in infrastructure through efficiency analysis.
 Methods: Efficiency analysis is based on data at the country level, originating from ex-post evaluation of Cohesion Policy programmes 2007?2013 and representing the input and output variables to analyse whether the goal of fostering growth in the target countries have been achieved with the funds provided, and whether or not more resources generated stronger growth effects in transport accessibility. The paper deals with comparative cross-country analysis, descriptive analysis of dataset and multiple-criteria approach of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) in the form of output-oriented BCC VRS model of efficiency and output-oriented APM VRS subsequently model of super-efficiency.
 Findings & Value added: The paper aims to test the factors of two inputs and five outputs, trying to elucidate the differences obtained by the Member States in effective use of the European Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion Fund in the transport sector. The paper determines if the countries have been more efficient in increasing their levels of competitive advantages linked with transport. Preliminary results reveal that most countries with a lower amount of funding achieve higher efficiency, especially countries in a group of so-called ?old EU Member States?, i.e. group EU15.

Examining the implications of the introduction of the board-level employee representation system in Korea by studying the development in Germany and EU

Examining the implications of the introduction of the board-level employee representation system in Korea by studying the development in Germany and EU

Overview of the HCPB Research Activities in EUROfusion

In the framework of the EUROfusion’s Power Plant Physics and Technology, the working package breeding blanket (BB) aims at investigating four different BB concepts for an EU demonstration fusion reactor (DEMO). One of these concepts is the helium-cooled pebble bed (HCPB) BB, which is based on the use of pebble beds of lithiated ternary compounds and Be or beryllides as tritium breeder and multiplier materials, respectively, EUROFER97 as structural steel and He as coolant. This paper aims at giving an overview of the EU HCPB BB Research and Development (R&D) being developed at KIT, in collaboration with Wigner-RCP, BUTE-INT, and CIEMAT. The paper gives an outline of the HCPB BB design evolution, state-of-the-art basic functionalities, requirements and performances, and the associated R&D activities in the areas of design, functional materials, manufacturing, and testing. In addition, attention is given also to the activities dedicated to the development of heat transfer augmentation techniques for the first wall and the corresponding testing. Due to their nature as design drivers, a brief overview in the R&D of key HCPB interfacing areas is given as well, namely, the tritium extraction and recovery system, the primary heat transfer and power conversion systems, and safety topics, as well as some specific activities regarding the integration of in-vessel systems through the BB. As concluding remarks, an outline of the standing challenges and future R&D plans is summarized.

New Developments in International Administrative Assistance in the Recovery of Taxes

This article provides a comprehensive overview of recent EU developments concerning mutual assistance in the recovery of taxes.

Efficiency of Agrarian Governance in Bulgaria

Empirical studies on efficiency of the governance system in agriculture are very rare. That is a consequence of both theoretical and practical challenges. The criteria and approach for assessing social efficiency are still debated while appropriate statistical, accountancy, etc. data for evaluation diverse mechanisms and modes of governance are not readily available. This is a first attempt for a comprehensive empirical study on the efficiency of the system of agrarian governance in Bulgaria. Since there is a social “contract” about sustainable agrarian development in EU and Bulgaria, the impact to sustainability is taken as a criterion for assessing the social efficiency of the governance system. The interdisciplinary New Institutional Economics framework is incorporated, and the impact of institutional environment and diverse market, private, collective, public and hybrid modes of governance on agrarian sustainability at the current stage of development in Bulgaria assessed. First, the methodological framework of the study is outlined. After that impact of major components of institutional environment of agrarian sustainability evaluated. Following, dominating governing modes in Bulgarian farms of different juridical type, size, specialisation, ecological and geographical location are identified, and their impacts on agrarian sustainability assessed. In conclusion implications for further research, public policy improvement, and private managerial strategy formation are presented.

The future of the EU in the context of scenarios for its development by 2025


 
 
 The article researches the scenarios for the future development of the EU by 2025 proposed by the European Commission. The white paper on the future of EU looks at how Europe will change in the next decade, from the impact of new technologies on society and jobs, to doubts about globalization, security concerns and the rise of populism. The European Commission emphasizes that the Europe’s role as a positive global force is more important today than ever. However, under the pressure of global competition the United Europe’s place in the world and its economic weight are shrinking, which is a solid foundation for preserving the unity of the Union for the sake of achieving greater. On the contrary, the most desirable scenario, as can be seen from the speech by the President of the European Commission, is to give the European Union a greater amount of power, resources and decision-making powers. As a result, cooperation between the EU-27 Member States will deepen in all areas than ever before.
 The White Paper outlines ve main scenarios («Carrying on», «Nothing but the single market», «Those who want more do more», «Doing less more e ciently», «Doing much more together»), each of them provides an opportunity to look at the possible state of a airs in the Union by 2025, depending on the choice that the EU will make by 2019. In the opinion of Jean-Claude Juncker, the most negative scenario of the EU development, and therefore extremely undesirable, is to bring its goals to purely economic, focusing the Union’s activities on the development of a single internal market and ensuring its uninterrupted functioning («Nothing but the single market» scenario).
 
 
 
 Based on data from the European Commission the author shows and brie y describes the key advantages and disadvantages of each of the scenarios. The common features of these scenarios are outlined: rst, they all come from the fact that the United Kingdom withdraws from the EU; secondly, none of them doubts the need to preserve the euro as common currency and the Schengen zone, thirdly, neither the scenarios refers to further EU enlargement. Since none of the proposed scenarios provides for the complete disintegration of the EU, that is, the disappearance of it as a geopolitical actor, it is concluded that in the strategic perspective all the outlined models of the EU’s future development suit Ukraine. Moreover, the steps recently proposed by the President of Ukraine and the European Parliament for deepening the economic integration of Ukraine with the EU and its association with the Schengen area also does not contradict any of the scenarios.
 
 
 
 
 

EU external competences in the field of migration: How to act externally when thinking internally

This article reviews the rules relating to the existence and nature of EU external competences, as deduced from ECJ case law and its Treaty codification, and considers their application to the different dimensions of migration, such as readmission, borders, visas, and legal migration. The analysis is complemented by an assessment of some competence-related issues arising out of the recourse by the EU to courses of action additional to the specific exercise of its external competences on migration. Particular emphasis is placed on the use of EU development cooperation policy and CFSP powers to achieve migration management purposes; the EU powers for the international implementation of the migration clauses of association agreements; as well as the competence controversies ensuing from the adoption of soft law instruments for migration cooperation with EU partners.

Assessing the Past and Future Development of EU and UK Social Policy

This article examines both the place of the social dimension in past and on-going debates about the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union and the reciprocal influence of EU and UK institutions on developments in the social policy field. It explores fluctuations in the relationship between economic and social policy, the divisiveness within, between and across political parties, the role of key policy actors in shaping the social agenda, and the failure of attempts to harmonise social welfare systems as enlargement intensified their diversity. We argue that, although difficult to predict, the implications of Brexit for future social policy in the UK and EU may not be so far-reaching as in some other policy areas, due largely to the maintenance of unanimous voting and the subsidiarity principle in many social domains, combined with the shift towards soft law and the widespread resistance of member states to tighter social integration.

European Investment Bank as a supporter of European PPPs

The aim of a paper is to examine EIB activities in financing, advising and promotion of PPPs in EU member countries. Research is based on data gained from published by EIB materials and statistics. PPPs are much more complicated in legal, social, political, economical sides than projects conducted traditionally by public sector. Moreover high level of capital intensity of infrastructure assets is a stumbling block to gather the whole amounts to cover investments, mainly in form of loans. Banks become one of the main partners, and at the same time decision makers in PPP projects. A high level of risks in PPP projects combined with high level of capital intensity eliminates small, local banks leaving in the field big commercial banks and multilateral institutions, like as World Bank Group, Asian Development Bank, or in Europe European Bank of Reconstruction and Development and European Investment Bank (EIB). EIB is both a bank and a public institution. Together with loans EIB also offers advisory and technical assistance which can help projects to maximise value for money. As a unique financial institution EIB plays a catalytic role in promoting sound and important projects towards EU policy. The main task of EIB is to contribute towards the integration, balanced development and economic and social cohesion of EU Member States. EIB plays very crucial role in PPP development in EU, specially in countries with not very sophisticated financial markets. It seems that EIB is the biggest supplier of funds to finance PPP in European market.

ТЕНДЕНЦІЇ ТА ПЕРСПЕКТИВИ РОЗВИТКУ СПІЛЬНОЇ АГРАРНОЇ ПОЛІТИКИ ЄС У КОНТЕКСТІ КОНЦЕПЦІЇ СТАЛОГО РОЗВИТКУ

The transformational changes in the EU’s common agricultural policy have been researched and the conscious, consistent, purposeful and gradual movement of the EU member states towards the implementation of the principles of sustainable development has been determined. A comprehensive analysis of the key features of the 2013 EU’s common agricultural policy reform has been carried out. It has been determined that the EU’s CAP has become more object-oriented, integrated and complementary; aimed at bringing the EU’s agricultural sector closer to the world market, gradual reduction of the CAP budget and the burden on the EU budget, strengthening of market principles in relations between the agricultural producers and the EU. It has been revealed that tools introduced by the reform include environmentally-addressed direct payments, co­financing, mechanisms of external and internal convergence, and contribute to the environmental management resolution of corresponding problems, but the socioeconomic problems of the industry are not sufficiently solved. The main imperatives of the EU’s common agricultural policy for the period of 2021-2027 have been determined: socioeconomic, environmental, political, human development. The analysis of possible scenarios of EU’s CAP development after 2010 deserves attention. It is substantiated that the key issues in the development of the new EU’s CAP will be: continuation by the EU member states of the chosen course to deepen the foundations of sustainable development; quantitative parameters of the financial security of the EU’s CAP as a result of Brexit; on what basis will the distribution of EU’s CAP resources be made among member states. Particularly important issue will be the choice of tools and support directions of the CAP, since it will determine the EU’s CAP EU model parameters for almost a decade.

The EU's Path Toward Sustainable Development Goals – Responsible Consumption and Production

The EU's Path Toward Sustainable Development Goals – Responsible Consumption and Production