Harm J. de Blij

European Union at the Crossroads: A Framing Comment

In a framing comment embracing the preceding four papers devoted to the enlargement of the European Union in 2004, a prominent American geographer reviews some of the major problems confronting the European continent. The paper, which begins with the authors view of Europes dilemma in late 2006, covers a number of geographic implications of the May 2004 expansion. Noted are Russias overland access to Kaliningrad, the addition of ca. 8 million underprivileged Roma (presently the Unions largest minority population), the potentially divisive new boundary with Russia, the future candidate states emerging from the former Yugoslavia, the prospects of Ukraines possible membership, and the challenge of Turkeys quest for admission to the EU. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: F02, F20, P20. 2 figures, 34 references.In a framing comment embracing the preceding four papers devoted to the enlargement of the European Union in 2004, a prominent American geographer reviews some of the major problems confronting the European continent. The paper, which begins with the authors view of Europes dilemma in late 2006, covers a number of geographic implications of the May 2004 expansion. Noted are Russias overland access to Kaliningrad, the addition of ca. 8 million underprivileged Roma (presently the Unions largest minority population), the potentially divisive new boundary with Russia, the future candidate states emerging from the former Yugoslavia, the prospects of Ukraines possible membership, and the challenge of Turkeys quest for admission to the EU. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: F02, F20, P20. 2 figures, 34 references.