English Learning: European Union Enlargement Plans

Dialogue

Current Situation

The European Union’s enlargement plans have received renewed impetus in recent years, particularly following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This event highlighted the strategic importance of integrating neighboring countries into the EU bloc to foster stability, democracy, and economic prosperity.

Currently, several countries hold candidate status, including:

• Western Balkans: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Kosovo (which has a Stabilisation and Association Agreement). These countries have been on a path toward EU membership for many years, with varying degrees of progress in implementing necessary reforms.
• Eastern Europe: Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia. Ukraine and Moldova were granted candidate status in 2022, and Georgia followed in December 2023, reflecting a geopolitical shift and a strong signal of support from the EU.
• Turkey: While formally a candidate country, accession negotiations with Turkey have been effectively frozen due to concerns over human rights and rule of law.

The enlargement process is complex, requiring candidate countries to adopt and implement a vast body of EU law (the “acquis communautaire”) across numerous policy areas. This often necessitates significant reforms in areas such as democracy, rule of law, human rights, market economy, and administrative capacity. For the EU, enlargement requires careful consideration of its own institutional capacity and budget, and decisions on accession require unanimous agreement from all existing member states.

The renewed focus indicates a strategic shift within the EU, recognizing enlargement as a tool for geopolitical influence and long-term security, rather than solely a technical process.

Key Phrases

• On the cards: Likely to happen.
  • Example: A major policy change is on the cards for next year.
• Join the club: To become a member of a group or organization.
  • Example: After years of applying, she finally got to join the club of professional photographers.
• Waiting list: A list of people waiting for something (e.g., membership, a product, an appointment).
  • Example: The popular restaurant has a waiting list of over an hour on weekends.
• Bureaucracy: A system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives. Often used to refer to excessive administrative procedures.
  • Example: Dealing with government bureaucracy can be very frustrating.
• Red tape: Official rules and procedures that seem excessive and cause delays.
  • Example: Small businesses often complain about the amount of red tape they have to cut through.
• Political will: The determination of political leaders or governments to achieve a specific goal or policy.
  • Example: Tackling climate change effectively requires strong political will from global leaders.
• Chipping in: Contributing money or help for a shared purpose.
  • Example: If everyone chips in, we can buy a really nice gift for our boss.
• Fine print: The small print in a document, often containing important conditions or disclaimers that people might overlook.
  • Example: Always read the fine print before signing any contract.
• Single market: A type of trade bloc composed of a free trade area with a common external policy and allowing free movement of goods, services, capital, and people.
  • Example: The EU is often cited as the most successful example of a single market.
• Candidate status: The official recognition by the EU that a country has formally applied to join and meets certain basic criteria, allowing it to begin the accession process.
  • Example: Ukraine was granted candidate status in 2022, marking a significant step towards potential EU membership.

Grammar Points

1. Future Tenses (Will vs. Going To)

Both “will” and “going to” are used to talk about the future, but they often imply different nuances.

• Will:
  • Spontaneous decisions: Decisions made at the moment of speaking.
    • Example: “Don’t worry about the paperwork, I will help you figure it out.” (Alice’s implied offer)
  • Predictions (general): Often based on opinion or expectation, without strong evidence.
    • Example: “I think the EU will definitely expand in the next decade.” (Bob’s general optimism)
  • Promises and offers:
    • Example: “I will call you tomorrow.”
• Going To:
  • Plans and intentions: Decisions made before the moment of speaking; something you intend to do.
    • Example: “I am going to visit France next summer.”
  • Predictions (based on evidence): Predictions based on something you can see or know now.
    • Example: “Look at those dark clouds! It’s going to rain.” (Not explicitly in dialogue, but relevant).

In the dialogue, Bob uses “They’ll figure it out!” which is a spontaneous prediction or assumption about future problem-solving.

2. Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and a preposition or adverb (or both) that create a new meaning. They are very common in spoken English.

• Figure out: To understand or solve something.
  • Example from dialogue: “They’ll figure it out!”
• Sort out: To resolve a problem or organize something.
  • Example from dialogue: “I’m just hoping they sort out the existing issues first…”
• Chip in: To contribute money or help (often informally).
  • Example: “If everyone chips in, we can buy a great present.” (Not explicitly in dialogue but related to “sharing the burden” or “sharing prosperity”)

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Key Phrase Fill-in-the-blanks

Complete the sentences using the appropriate key phrases from the list above.

1. The new policy on international travel is definitely __________, expect an announcement next week.
2. After completing all the reforms, the country hopes to finally __________.
3. Dealing with the excessive __________ involved in opening a new business can be exhausting.
4. If we all __________, we can finish this project much faster.
5. It’s important to read the __________ carefully before signing any legal document.

Exercise 2: Phrasal Verb Matching

Match the phrasal verb with its meaning.

1. To resolve a problem or organize something.
2. To understand or solve something.
3. To contribute money or help.

1. Figure out: _________
2. Chip in: _________
3. Sort out: _________

Exercise 3: Future Tense Choice

Choose the correct option (will / am/is/are going to).

1. I think the weather (will / is going to) be sunny tomorrow, according to the forecast.
2. “I’m cold.” “Really? I (will / am going to) close the window.”
3. The government (will / is going to) announce new candidate countries next month, that’s the plan.
4. Don’t worry about the challenge, we (will / are going to) find a way to overcome it.

Answers

Exercise 1: Key Phrase Fill-in-the-blanks

1. The new policy on international travel is definitely on the cards, expect an announcement next week.
2. After completing all the reforms, the country hopes to finally join the club.
3. Dealing with the excessive red tape involved in opening a new business can be exhausting.
4. If we all chip in, we can finish this project much faster.
5. It’s important to read the fine print carefully before signing any legal document.

Exercise 2: Phrasal Verb Matching

1. Figure out: b
2. Chip in: c
3. Sort out: a

Exercise 3: Future Tense Choice

1. I think the weather (is going to) be sunny tomorrow, according to the forecast. (Based on evidence – the forecast)
2. “I’m cold.” “Really? I (will) close the window.” (Spontaneous decision)
3. The government (is going to) announce new candidate countries next month, that’s the plan. (Pre-planned intention)
4. Don’t worry about the challenge, we (will) find a way to overcome it. (General prediction/reassurance)