Romania and EU membership in comparative perspective: A post-accession compliance problem? - The case of political conditionality

Abstract

Post-accession compliance is addressed with respect to the EU's political conditions which were monitored regularly during the accession process. The satisfaction of these was crucial to both opening negotiations and eventually granting membership. The case of Romania is significant for various reasons, for it was commonly regarded as the 'laggard' of the post-communist countries that sought EU entry during the 2004/2007 enlargements; and, it became subject to a stricter application of this conditionality from 2004. In the latter respect, 'safeguard clauses' were operated against Romania (and Bulgaria) after negotiations were concluded; and, then, as a condition of allowing entry in 2007, a new sanctions regime was introduced involving a further extension of conditionality. Four hypotheses are presented and applied, firstly for comparison to Slovakia and Latvia as new member states from 2004 and then to Romania as a way of identifying possible future scenarios from 2007. In conclusion, Romania is seen as leaning more to the rationalist than constructivist interpretation. The sanctions regime may thus produce some further progress in compliance, while there is little evidence so far of social learning. Furthermore, some efforts at reversing progress during accession would not be surprising in the light of past experience and these would challenge the sanctions regime. On the other hand, some routinisation of conditionality reforms is also to be expected pointing to a positive trend.