Are the Swedes ‘unofficial fusionists’?

Abstract:

The article assesses the success of the Swedish 2001 Presidency in handling the issue of further European Union enlargement. The author argues - through the application of elements of 'fusion theory' - that the Swedes are 'unofficial fusionists' and that the Swedish Presidency was successful in achieving a 'political breakthrough' in the accession negotiations. He concludes that the Swedish Presidency was essentially results-driven, included modest political objectives and defined 'success' in very limited and pragmatic terms.