“Looking outwards: the inclusivity of European identity”

The years 2004 and 2005 have been dominated in EU circles by the question of enlargement of the Union. Ten new members joined in May 2004; none of them is particularly large, with the exception of Poland, but nonetheless they represent an enormous expansion in territory and population, requiring the highly contested production of a new draft constitution for the Union. Meanwhile, the second half of 2004, continuing into 2005, often seemed overwhelmed by discussion of the

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round of potential applicants for membership, with most eyes, whether friendly or hostile, fixed firmly on Turkey. With its huge population, modest state of economic modernization, and large Muslim majority, its accession would undoubtedly have a major impact on the way things work in the EU. There has rightly been a lively debate about these issues, and it will continue to rumble and rage for several years.