Introduction

Enlargement of the European Union (EU) involves not only an expanded circle of EU members, but also a new delineation of outsiders. The dismantling of the Iron Curtain since 1989 has seen many of Russia's former allies in Central and Eastern Europe drift westward in orientation. The nature of borders is closely linked to identity issues. The EU is not yet synonymous with Europe, although commentators sometimes refer to it as such. The nature of borders is closely linked to identity issues. The European Union is not yet synonymous with Europe, although commentators sometimes refer to it as such. Concern with border relations with the countries of post-communist Europe is not new for the European Union. Several EU programmes were initiated throughout the 1990s to promote better border relations with candidate countries or future candidate countries. The European Union, with the Schengen Agreement, has created a unified area for the free movement of populations.