Poles submitted an application for membership in 1994 and spent 10 years trying to adapt the country and the market to the EU, only to join the EU in 2004. Many companies went bankrupt, many privatizations. Yes, Poland first had to meet the preliminary conditions to join the EU.

The premise about Ukraine's farming industry is all wrong. They would have to meet up to EU standards before becoming a member. There would off course also be heavy negotiations with every member state until they feel it would be safe to allow Ukraine to join.

Has less to do with farming, and more to do with the fact that they created a false economy by subsidizing farming for decades.

Now Poland knows what happened in Spain Portugal and Greece when Poland joined the European union. The same way the Belgians and French felt when Portugal and Spain joined the European union... welcome to the club. This ride is not all roses.

It would be interesting to compare how ready the Western Balkan countries are compared to the readiness of Romania and Bulgaria back when they joined the EU.

Perhaps DW News can make a parallel video focused on the security dimension of EU enlargement towards Ukraine and the Balkans. European integration is a peace project, it has been the main motivation from the very beginning. The world has come to focus on the economic dimension of the EEC and EU Single Market, perhaps it is time to clarify the security dimension.

One thing is certain: we live in the best Europe ever. This is clear to anyone who takes a look at history.

Overall, enlargements have been, and should continue to be beneficial, although they may create local and temporary problems. But the biggest issue hasn't been discussed here: reforms of the EU itself are critically needed before any enlargement can take place. Another Hungary would spell the end of the Union. Specifically, the EU must abolish the veto privileges, at least for the new potential members, if not for the current ones. Also critically important is a mechanism for suspending or terminating memberships of the states that violate core principles of the Union (such as Hungary, at present). In the meantime, freedom of movement and trade can expend. This can easily be done *before* the admission of a new member-state. With a full freedom of movement (people, goods and services), a candidate state can wait as long as it takes for the EU to pass the critical reforms mentioned above.

Big French, German & Benelux companies want to buy up agricultural land in Ukraine and use it to price farmers in their countries out of business

We don’t want more Hungaries in the EU.

9:15 what is she talking about? The 6 Western Balkan nations plus Georgia and Moldova have nowhere near the population of the UK. Not to mention that, if they did, that would not be "peanuts"

Do you have a Spotify Podcast where I can listen to this? I hope you have

Wouldn't this translate to cheaper goods being bought by the people, which is good for consumers. I don't see anything wrong with Ukaraine coming with cheaper produce coming in the EU. More competition, more affortable prices.

Ukraine was selling it's agricultural production to Europe after the association agreement and that's from the year 2015. But now after the war began polish farmers became so active.... That's only about the dotations that's it. It's a manipulation of facts

Aren’t cheaper grain prices good for the consumers?

Not sure why Ukraine’s accession is such a big deal. 20 years ago we left in Poland and 7 other former eastern block countries. Poland’s population is quite similar in size to that of Ukraine. The EU coped very well. The new members did very well, at least economically. It is unfortunate the democratic backsliding in Hungary. But other than that, huge success

When the UK left the EU the country went downhill. I am living here and I can tell you. So that's saying something.

One has to look at big businesses in countries that want to join the European union. They will haven to lower their prices, improve crevices, also. And they might be not so forthcoming to new competition.

Ultimately what it boils down to is that the wealthier countries who pay more in than they take out won't be affected much But the poorer countries who rely on money from EU would feel the pinch in the short term In the long term more members/territory means more room for growth and overall would make for a stronger Europe

Did Polish (ect) farmers meet EU agricultural standards before they joined the market or did they only do so after joining the EU and gaining those funds? It's only seems fair that Ukraine follows those steps in order to maintain their improving relations with their neighbors.

Yes. But candidates will need to fill all entry requirements

Montenegro is so close! Been living here for a year and if feels like an EU country ❤

This was an excellent video to watch on the subject. It would be nice to see a similar political analysis on how the EU countries view the UK rejoining. The english speaking media has the UK able to return whenever it chooses to return. This video shows that the entry process is not straightforward due to politics. Canadian viewer who is a fan of the channel.

Very nice video, going to different locations to shoot. Doing research, great job!

This is really interesting but I would love to know where you're getting the data from. It seems like this is overly positive. I know there are more complications than you present here and would enjoy reading some of the documents for myself if I can.

The real question is: do Europeans feel other Europeans as their own families? If not, it won't work. And the answer is: they don't, not at all. They are usually quite sceptical on others, from the west to east, from north to south, even neighbouring states. The Flemish people cannot have it that their money is sent to Walloons because the Flemish doesn't see Walloons as their own people. This is just from a tiny little country of Belgium. Give you the opposite example: in highly homogeneous countries like Japan, China, the population don't have problem to pay poorer provinces because that's my own people! This will not happen between Germans and Greeks, Dutch and Bulgarians, I rather say they create more hatred once it comes to real money and contribution.

It has to afford it, similarly to other European countries waiting and working for their membership. However, I would still change part of the vetoing system, because the likelihood of some important decision not going through is increasing with every member, leading to stalemates like we've seen with Victator Orbán. There also needs to be a better system for sanctioning countries, that are degrading their democracies. Otherwise, the EU will be full of little authoritarian countries with huge in-country influence as well as diminish its effectiveness and efficiency, which isn't that great at the moment.

All countries who want to become EUmembers have to fulfill the same criteria and follow EU acquis. This concerns i.a. economy, agriculture, finance, justice, ... For Ukraine a long way ahead ! First of all they should strictly counterdict corruption! - 2nd place in Europe after Russia is not a "letter of recommendation" to EU !!!

At first, the EU needs some important reforms about voting, and the different goals and speeds countries would like to go forward with in the EU. And the fact that it is already so hard to get these done with all the vetos, and different opinions is further prove that we need reforms before expanding, and making serious reforms more unlikely in the process.

Such a crazy idea

Endless enlargement is an imperial policy. Integrating Ukraine with the EU, may create a scenario similar to the Cold War, which is already happening.

Everyone wants to get paid and NOT to pay. Polish economist had a point - when you don’t want to adapt to new realities you will have to fight for survival.

Georgia is not a Balkan country 10:16 COME ON GERMANY SHIZA 🇩🇪

In China there’s a recent popular saying “board the bus and shut the door”. Polish farmers seem to be exactly doing that, they joined EU in 2004 and benefited hugely and once they are in, they don’t want new competition from their easter neighbor.

And this "business beyond", would worry me because it would only benefit large companies and turn our dreams into a giant nightmare.

See, the real question is can the new members afford to be part of the EU or they will crush like Bulgaria. New members is just an expansion of the markets for western companies..........

German farmers didn't block Polish farmers when they dumped product on their market

While contracting your economy due to high energy cost ? Sure, why not

Yes, of course they should expand to include Greenland

If they want to sell products in the European Union, then, just like Poland, it had to adapt to all standards before joining the EU, and it does not turn out that products from Ukraine that arrive do not meet any standards.🤷‍♂️

Some of us in Balkans wanted to join EU and seriously think about it 35 years ago. Now it's not even a topic. People don't believe they will benefit, don't believe they will be equally accepted, don't believe anything anymore and simply majority don't want to enter EU. I guess it is the same for Turkey and will be the same for Moldova and Ukraine after 20 more years. Simply, we don't want to enter. You spread your concerns of joining. It looks like mutual interests to give up pressuring us to join. How about that?

Non-competitive methods will only and exclusively harm the market. In the end, consumers are paying and will be paying more and more day by day for every single non-market politically motivated obstacle for free trade. This is basics of economics. You may believe in it, or not, it just work. Like gravity. You even may actively refuse to believe in it, still if you'll jump of the cliff, you will fall. Only viable option for Polish farmers now is to adapt or change field of economic activity. Like German farmers did in the past.

Everything is going as planned.

Having euro currency makes transactions even easier 😅 that's hilarious oversimplification

Let’s see this for EU examination came out in the world. They will be passed or not, future will show us?

Well they just shrunk when Britain left

The EU really screwed Macedonia.

The elites love this.

Two Polish farmers have been interviewed, but ZERO Ukrianian farms. Is it reporter standard of DW?

The eu expansion Will hit the existing eu countries negatively economically 😢😢 if Ukraine joins forget the golden years for europe🎉🎉🎉

the problem is that the western "developed" world cannot grow grain

Eastern Europe defended the west with their lives and all their livelyhood for centuries, not to mention the way the way the west is exploiting the countries that enter in EU should be more more than enough to compensate the costs of raising the quality of life in the poorer countries, so let's be real and do what is right.

There definitely need a tier system for EU countries that ranks them and separates the economic power houses from small underdeveloped countries. The whole idea of the EU was economic cooperation, the idea of unificating the continent was later introduced and was more of an ideological goal then an economic one..

You need powerful allies, otherwise it's a one sided deal. Too big of anything also tends to splinter. And the shift to the right is also not helping the push for enlargement. If anything we need to stabilize and consolidate. Not enlarge

5:26 Lol Riga 🤣🤣🤣🤣

An EU, as big as Europe, is the goal. But, accepting countries that are not compiling to the EU standards is idiotic. just as accepting ukraine in EU or NATO just because they are at war with russia.

So far EU has a big dissapointment for me as a Georgian and to my people, I am very close to loosing my hope of getting accepted as a family member that should not have had been alone first place. Whitnessing my country become something from nothing alone by itself while going through several invasions/wars alone I believe anything is possible, especially for Ukraine. I'd say somewhen and it's only matter of time.. Eastern Europe will make it with each other's help and after this happens Western Europe will need the East but it will be too late because the East will not need the West anymore

If done well(!), accepting new members will be beneficial for the EU. Economically, politically, culturally and geo-strategically.

My dream of the EU is a bit faded. They talked about economic profits, but on the other side they want to raise new taxes to cover the costs? So what about the people of current member states?... do they profit, too? The EU should be an alliance to improve the security of the member states. In think new members should increase the security of the union and the other members, and not import problems, risks and deficits. The EU shouldn't be just about economy and geostrategy. The EU is already overstretched. Brexit was a sign, that there is something wrong. As a German I feel much closer to the British, instead to e.g. the balkan countries. The idea of Georgia (in the Caucasus!) as a potential member state is just crazy.

Some weird statements in the video - taking in Western Balkans, Moldova and Georgia (population ~ 21mln) is a "grain of sand", but taking in Ukraine (population 30-35mln) - big deal and very expensive? Quite comparable amounts of people

If poorer countries want in - They likely rely heavily on outdated agriculture practices as well as any industrial assets. Best thing is to help them improve their outdated agricultural practices with maintaining these practices in a more modern ways WITHOUT going high tech. Imagine agricultural products that they could produce ny not going the expensive high tech and likely toxic ways. Much the same with and Industries, no need for crazy high priced Tech. All they need is a boost in more efficient methods without the expenses. Look where the High Tech got us so far - In reality

DW is European CNN

I'm not against the EU in principle, but.... It has to be a union of equals. Equal prosperity and similar social values. It isn't a union of equals - I won't name the countries, but just give directions :). Some of the problems: - SE counties have corruption and poverty. - N countries generally stick to fiscal rules, S ones don't. - Socially some of the E countries have antique social attitudes. - Two E countries support the dictator Putin. - Countries that have profitable business types support those that have unprofitable business types (usually agriculture). - SW and NE (not Baltics) countries have no work, so many of the young move to a more affluent country. This reduces wages in the destination country and leaves problems behind in the source country. House prices and rents in the destination country go through the roof (sorry), and the culture of the destination country is affected. 11:46 "Citizens in the western Balkans earn on average just 14% of their European neighbours." Most of the youth would move to a richer EU country. - Supporting agriculture benefits some countries but costs others a fortune. Comments in the video 3:52 It's all about business! No mention of social effects on new and old members. 9:20 "Polish farmers could try to produce more complex products." That's EU talk which means "We are so determined to increase our power by expanding that we don't give a **** about a current member.

If we accept Ukraine, we will need EU army. The EU will be Russia's only neighbor to the west (Belarus will be annexed into Russia immediately after war in Ukraine ends). Ukraine would also need to become EU's or NATO's protectorate for the interim period before it joins the EU and NATO (joining NATO should non-negotiable part of joining EU).

Rich and poor countries have mutual benefits. Cheap labour from poor countries and elderly societies like Germany and Italy for example.

If you think of the EU as a kind of nation, it's interesting how other nations are eager to be annexed and how the EU is resisting a long-term increase in political, geographical and economic wealth. Though understandable, given the potential cultural incompatibility and initial economic burden, it's less easy to understand why, e.g., the topic of immigration (which holds very similar characteristics) is handled in such a different manner.

Everything has its own limit 👍. Expanding the EU comes with its challenges. Poorer countries may join while richer ones might consider leaving, potentially destabilizing the union. If economic growth is sluggish, Balkan countries might lose interest, leading to division within Europe once again.

The EU cannot add the poor Balkan or Eastern European nations. Only country they can add is Norway and you already know Norway doesn’t want to be in the EU

colonies expand, democracy accepts, change your title -.-

DW: Can the EU afford to expand? ChatGPT: *Economically,* expansion can pose challenges. New member states often require financial assistance to meet EU standards and to support their integration into the union. This assistance can strain the budgets of existing member states, particularly if the new members are less economically developed. *Politically,* expansion can be complex. Each new member brings its own set of political dynamics and priorities, which can affect the functioning of the EU as a whole. Additionally, existing member states may have concerns about the implications of expansion on issues such as sovereignty, immigration, and decision-making processes within the EU institutions. *Socially,* expansion can impact cultural and social cohesion within the EU. It may lead to increased diversity among member states, which can enrich the EU culturally but also pose challenges in terms of integration and social cohesion.

abt time we da ppl stand up against corrupt politicians

Can the EU afford to expand? Asked as a yes or no question. The appropriate question is how slow should the EU expand. At this moment it should expand very slow. After more integration then perhaps expansion could allow one bigger country to join every three years.

So enjoy it,, Do what ever you want,, You will get what you do ,,😂😉

20+ little EU countries must unite further. The Euro, single foreign policy/army and then English as the 2nd official language would make us feel responsible for one another. If we don't start evolving today, the EU won't have any competitive advantages in the world of billion-men-economies of tomorrow.

Doesn’t the EU want the balkan countires to join together? Like later they could veto each other because of past and ongoing conflicts. (Kosovo, Bosnia, Serbia being close with Russia) Also, just like in Ukraine, Russia controls a part of the country of both, Georgia and Moldova.

Very informative.

It seems like polish and czech farmers live in childish illusion about their choices. Simply put european farmer must decide what he afraid of more. Is it ukrainian agricultural products or maybe allied ukrainian-russian-belorussian army invading Poland and Czechia? If in doubt, ask your granny.

Polish farmers: “we afraid of competition”. Other European people: “but they give us good quality and cheap products! It’s great!” Polish farmers: “no! We need subsidies, and no rivalry.” Just remember Ukraine export grains to EU almost 10 years from association. And it was fine until world food prices became low.

enlargement is always more money for rich people in richer EU countries, while their middle classes see more competition and thus lower salaries. For the poorest countries, joinging EU is good for them at all social classes. If enlargment continues, it is sure sign of the elite running everything and European democracy is just a joke. Brexit caused many problems for the UK but it was and still is a clear display of the democratic force at work. I hope Netherland and Denmark leave the EU regain their political and economic destiny.

Polen used to be a poor country before they entered EU. They got a lot economic support from EU friends. Now they dont want the same support for Ukraine because they then need to contribute. That sounds selfish.

Came for comments of Ruzzian origin stating how the EU would collapse if Ukraine would join.

What is really going on?

Oh look, Bled Strategic Forum, I watched that

No, but that's not going to stop those people in Brussels.

8:30 this guy is manipulating you into thinking that this is the reason they cant compete with the Ukrainian farmers if they allow Ukrainian grain into the single market unrestricted then yes this argument holds up but if they admit Ukraine to the block then these restrictions will also apply to Ukrainian farmers

When economy balanced out it will be no problems. Profitable actually... Remembrr the words when... Other avenue for growth coop... dunno... maybe... realyy dunno😊

I am starting to understand that EU is also a Security project and not only an economic project. Yes, I know it originaly started mainly as a Security project, but in my lifespand it has been all about money. Anyhow, EU is a great vision and I support it.

Only polish farmers have a right to approve or ban new EU members.

There are some in EU who be glad to trade places .

Another distorted DW video. Poland and other EU members are subject to heavy restrictions, especially climate related ones. That's why there is an EU wide protest of farmers, one that DW also has covered. Yet this lovely non-deceitful channel is trying to mix footage and sentiments surrounding these protests with the far smaller objections over Ukraine, which, not being an EU member, is exempted from these handicaps. It would be a completely different story once they formally join the EU and are burdened by the same regulation, but of course, the D in DW stands for deceit.

Can EU afford NOT to expand?

Ukraine is selling. Grain 1/4 cheaper than other EU members. Farmers are not happy because they losing money.

Russia secretly wants to join the EU. Russia secretly wants to join NATO. But the main stumbling blocks are Mr. Vladimir Putin and Communism. My deepest apology for the inconvenience. 🙏

Ukraine joining EU means that Ukraine becomes the bigger grain producer in Europe, and the Polish farmers are bitching about it because the Ukrainian soil is way more fertile then theirs?.. Its time for Polish Farmers to either compete or innovate into different produce or venture into new fields so Poland can diversify its market which is highly needed in Poland. Ukraine would make bank of their grain alone!, and that's just a small part of their agricultural prowess, don't blame Ukraine for having good soil.. But Ukraine probably needs high EU standard quality policies..

Despite the talk about NATO membership, it was the prospect of Ukraine joining the EU that Russian leadership found unacceptable. It would meaning Ukraine going its own way on economy, politics and socially.

I am a Pole and I don’t support blockades. I agree that it’s unfair for farmers who prepared years to abide to EU restrictive food safety and quality regulations that Ukrainian farmers don’t have to follow. I also agree that we should help Ukraine however we can. This is why we should compromise to that and help to find a new markets for Ukrainian grain for example or put limits on them but give them weapons. Every weapon they need to battle Russia and win.

Sympathy and holding onto the wallet cannot be satisfied at the same time. No one is willing to support a bankrupt country indefinitely, as that would only turn itself into a third or fourth world country. Only when Ukraine proves its own value and independent economic capabilities it can gain the support for joining the EU.

BREAK UP THE EU!!!! remove the EURO!!!!!!!

As a European I would much rather be a BRICS member than joining the EU 🎉🎉🎉 Maybe Hungary has a chance to leave the eu and join Brics

Simply speaking, enlargement secures and chalange whole Europe in respect of future global competition. It will cost Europe as a whole, including Eastern countries like Poland where I live. I clearly remember similar discussions in 2000s where French, Dutch, and Germans were afraid of Polish agriculture. It is fear today for many, but it must be cleared while negotiations because there is no other way to thrive in coming decades. Let,s grow and be stronger together ❤️