European Union Enlargement Conditionality (Palgrave Studies in European Union Politics)

This book introduces a rigorous conceptual framework for comparative analysis of European Union (EU) enlargement conditionality, allowing for the examination of its evolving nature at two different levels: between different groups of enlargement applicants and across different stages of the accession process. On the basis of the stage-structured conditionality model, Eli Gateva provides a comprehensive analysis of the development of EU enlargement conditionality across four different enlargement waves – the first (2004) and the second (2007) phases of the Eastern enlargement, the EU enlargement to Croatia (2013) and the ongoing enlargement round involving Turkey and the Western Balkans. Importantly, the author traces the evolution of EU enlargement policy and examines policy changes beyond the scope of key historical milestones such as the EU's decision to enlarge eastwards.