From the Atlantic to the Bug, from the Arctic to the Tigris? The transformation of the EU and NATO

Both the European Union and NATO are now committed in principle to substant ial enlargement. It remains doubtful, however, how far member governments a re making a success of further enlargement, let alone thinking through its strategic implications. Yet the process of dual enlargement will define the future security, political and economic structures of the European region. During the past year west European governments have extended promises of e ventual membership to the western Balkan states and to Turkey; while the fu ture positions of Ukraine, Russia, the Caucasus states and the southern Med iterranean associates all raise delicate policy issues. Hard choices remain to be made about the adaptation of these organizations to eastern enlargem ent, and about the management of relations with the near neighbours who wil l remain outside.