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Comment by Adelina Marini on September 26, 2010 at 13:49

Here I would agree with Ari, because the main burden for the EU both internally and externally is that it is not coherent and, therefore, it is hard for the Union to project common policies and ideas. I am also a fan of a "third way", that would get particular countries closer to the Union and it could also be used as a "waiting room" for then to get fully prepared for a fully fledged membership some day. The main problem with Bulgaria and Romania (as well as most of the Balkan countries, excluding probably Croatia) is that they are not that politically, socially and economically coherent with the mosty developed part of the Union (the old Member States).

Comment by Ari Rusila on September 26, 2010 at 12:19

To Irina.

Thanks for question. I have used 3rd way in different connections. First I have proposed it to EU for solving the core problem of EU external relations, which in my opinion is uncritical following of US foreign (cowboy) policy. Neutral – unallied – position might allow independent EU foreign policy and approach to world politics, human rights, economical issues etc with critical way be that critics to east or west. Second I have used 3rd way related to EU enlargement policy describing the efforts to find a privileged partnership for Turkey instead of normal membership. I also have proposed that some western Balkan countries could take this aim (privileged partnership) as aim of their EU relations. Why so? With 3rd way it is possible to avoid EU bureaucracy but get most benefits about free economical zone, free movement of people as well access to many EU programs. For use of euro or for visa freedom one does not need to be EU member even today.

Related to access of Bulgaria and Romania to EU I think that a developed Eastern Partnership programme could have better alternative than direct membership. I also think EU membership could be one level of cooperation, second level could include EU neighbours and e.g. Euro-Mediterranean and bilateral cooperation.

Please note that while speaking above about 3rd way I have used term only as such. There is no direct connection to sc. Third Way philosophy designed by U.S. Democratic Leadership Council some 10 years ago. That philosophy rests on three cornerstones: the idea that government should promote equal opportunity for all while granting special privilege for none; an ethic of mutual responsibility that equally rejects the politics of entitlement and the politics of social abandonment; and, a new approach to governing that empowers citizens to act for themselves.

More 3rd way (privileged partnership) e.g. in my post "Turkey’s EU hopes -is there any?"

Comment by Irina Ursu on September 26, 2010 at 10:11

Ari, I am curious. How would you define the "third way"? Do you think that it would have been better, let's say, for Romania and Bulgaria to have chosen (if possible) this "in between" status? Or do you refer at states like Turkey or those from the South Caucasus?

Comment by Cristiana Pereira on September 25, 2010 at 22:17

I confess. I don't really have an opinion about the topic, but it's a subject that I'm really interested on.
I'm going to start a masters in Internacional Relations and I hope to learn something with all of u.
I will give some comments on your opinions everytime I have something usefull to say.

Thank u.

Comment by Ari Rusila on August 19, 2010 at 11:03

Some of EU's neighbours are interested to join community, on the other hand many countries don't want new members even in public they claim otherwise. I am especially interested about "third way" between EU membership and non-membership e.g. the possible content of "privileged partnership" planned for Turkey. As EU sceptic I have in my blog even proposed to some Balkan countries that this partnership could be better aim than full membership. I am interested the views of community about this issue.

Comment by Adelina Marini on March 17, 2010 at 10:45

Egypt is one of the key participants in the ENP and this is why we should hail baroness Ashton for choosing the country as a first leg of her Middle East tour. Here you can see why Egypt is so important

http://www.euinside.eu/en/analyses/eu-and-its-neighbours-or-how-to-...

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