WORLD
IS THE EUROPEAN PROJECT STALLED? The Future Prospects of E.U. Enlargement
Krister Koskelo
A
s the Eurozone crisis drags on, many are questioning whether the very essence of the European project has been jeopardized. The European Union’s capacity to absorb new member states seems particularly imperiled, as E.U. enlargement has slowed recently, even grinding to a halt.  Though the economic crisis has certainly
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played a significant role in stalling expansion, it is important not to lose sight of long-term geopolitical and cultural considerations. Overall, though some countries have decided to tentatively remain outside the
European Union for political or economic reasons, many obstacles toward expansion come from within the organization itself.