ABSTRACT
This chapter examines theoretical debate on the origins of Eastern enlargement. The Eastern enlargement of the European Union in many regards a historical caesura. Eastern enlargement had profound security implications, shifting the EU's border further southwards and eastwards. Former External Affairs Commissioner, Hans van den Broek asserted that an enlarged EU bring increased security, stability and prosperity to Europe. The applicants lacked viable alternatives due to their economic dependence on the EU member states and their shift of allegiances from Russia to the Western hemisphere. The Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) were expected to be recipients of the EU's major funds, thereby withdrawing instead of adding resources. The inclusion of new countries usually reduces the EU's dependency on imports when foreign trade relations turn into internal trade transactions. From a liberal perspective, domestic actors push for enlargement as soon as the expected benefits exceed the likely costs.
