‘the Advantages of Enlarging the Eu After the End of the Cold War Were Significant for Its Member States.’ How Valid Is This Assessment?

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‘The advantages of enlarging the EU after the end of the cold war were significant for its member states.’ How valid is this assessment? The enlargement of the EU was positive for both member states, the worlds trading and applicant states. The EU would work to bring prosperity, peace and a unity between countries which had been involved in conflict after World War two and the cold war. Even though there were negative aspects of enlarging the EU such as divisions over NATO, the expansion bought many positive aspects. In order for the EU to achieve bringing Europe together after World War 2 they would need to expand. Its original and early members included, Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Germany. Early member states included the UK. The advantages for the states to include post communist states would help democracy thrive after being under communist leadership. Enlarging the EU would bring democratic institutions, protect human rights, and would end the divisions in Europe which would benefit the member stated who would be bringing peace to the region. The more countries that were involved within the EU, the more successful and significant it would be. It was not only the economy of others which would be an advantage to member states but also the links that other states had. Former communist states had links with Russia which the EU could use for diplomatic link as Russia would not join. The USA and Russia were in favour of the expansion because eastern states would be involved in western politics and their systems. An example of this was Latvia which had been under soviet control; the country was subject to Soviet economic control and saw considerable Russification of its people. Its independence was recognized in 1991 and in 2004 they finally joined the EU. In addition the EU has diplomatic links with certain regions in the Middle
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