January 17, 2007 - 16:28 AMT
Europe Highlights Ideas, Not People
The EU enlargement is accompanied by a number of forces regarding elaboration of a common line in economics and politics, Kenneth Munro (UK), the Deputy Chairman of the John Smith Memorial Trust, said during a round-table discussion on the topic of "Leadership as a diving force towards European integration." In his words, proceeding from economic interests the European community should move towards integration in politics and consolidation of European values. At that the British expert reminded of two principal criteria for any state aspired to the EU. "First, the state should be geographically located in Europe, Second, it should be democratic. As to these conditions as regards Turkey, this is a separate subject of discussion and I would not like to touch on it. Presently, the number of EU member states totals 27 and further enlargement has been suspended. As for Ukraine and Georgia, this is a matter of future. They are participants of the European Neighborhood Program, which is not connected with EU accession," Munro said.