MINI CASE: The European Union Sans Frontière?

QUESTIONS:

1) Given the security concerns of both the EU and Russia, where should EU’s eastern border end? Do
you think the buffer states should become NATO members as well? Why or Why not?

The European Union Eastern borders should end in Poland, where it is currently placed. With the
growing security concerns between the EU and Russia, buffer states such as Ukraine and Georgia were
placed for security purposes and protection from conflicts. Even though Russia is not alarmed about
whether these countries will join the European Union, however, this will display an extreme concern
with the possibility that it will also be joining under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. This is
because the majority of the EU members also belong to NATO which has a policy stating that an attack
on any NATO member is an attack on all its members. It is important to take note that the relationship
between Russia and NATO is seen as not agreeing with one another. Hence, Russia is very keen on the
actions and decisions of these buffer states as it might result in a war.

Considering the current state or issues between Russia and NATO, the buffer states between Russia and
EU should not become a member of NATO. Ukraine and Georgia, two of the buffer states, were
subjected to attacks and aggression of Russia. Some people would say that NATO could be helpful to
protect buffer states from the attacks of Russia and stop them; however, Article V of the NATO Chapter
is one of the compelling reasons not to have these buffer states as part of NATO. The article is based on
the principle that the security of one is the security of all. This means that all members will go to war if
one member is attacked. Suppose buffer states such as Ukraine enter into NATO, in that case, this will
also eliminate the purpose of a buffer state which is to prevent conflict among the two countries
between them because it will probably result in another dangerous and massive war against Russia and
all NATO member countries. Moreover, member countries under NATO will not approve the buffer
states if they know that it will result in adverse outcome to the alliance's interest and the other country.
Thus, it is a very serious commitment to assess whether buffer states, such as Ukraine and Georgia,
should be accepted in NATO to avoid another possibility of World War.

2) Should non-uniformity policies in the EU (i.e.,cherry picking EU policies that members may choose to
follow) be tolerated or encouraged? Make your case.

The non-uniformity of policies within the EU is not tolerable because it defeats the Union's purpose of
unifying European countries. Country leaders may have different perspectives and comprehension
concerning the relevance of some particular EU laws. However, members of the EU must still observe
specific standards provided, as these were made available in the first place, to serve better and build
stronger relationships among them. Non-uniformity of policies may further conflict of interest and
creates confusion among the member countries.

For example, some member countries from the south toward the EU's border choose to opt-out or do
not strictly enforce a particular EU law. Then people will view these laws or regulations as irrelevant.
Unstrict enforcement of some EU policies may even be neglected and considered as an annoyance.
Hence, some people choose to ignore it when officials are not around; the absence of particular
regulation/s may lead to unorganized activities and no cooperation. It is like having a game of basketball,
where standards or rules are ready and laid-down, yet two players from a team choose to play and
follow only a number of those laid-down rules.

The European Union's goal was to integrate European economies and political systems by developing a
single currency, the Euro, and implementing uniform foreign and security policies. Under the policies of
the European Union, Europe should become a more unified continent. The European Union is an
example of the Economic Union of regional integration wherein countries should remove barriers to
trade, labor, and capital among members, set a standard trade policy against non-members, and
coordinate their economic policies. The EU's essential objective is to eradicate these non-uniformity
policies or Cherry picking policy situations and provide one law for all, one defense policy and one
strategic power, one currency, one effective economic governance system, and no unnecessary national
borders. Cherry-picking policies and inconsistencies in their political, economic, and technological
environments that members follow may further create chaos and disputes. It may also affect trading
and other transactions between members and even non-members of the EU.