The Benelux Union and the Visegrad Group Inside the European Union

CEU eTD Collection the European Union: Dealing with Environment and The BeneluxUnion andthe Visegrad Group Inside In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of ofArts of Masters for thedegree requirements of the fulfillment In partial Department of RelationsInternational andEuropean Studies Supervisor: Professor Michael Merlingen Climate Change Central European University Central European Word 16.733 count: Budapest, Hungary Budapest, Johanna Jobse Johanna Submitted to Submitted 2010 By CEU eTD Collection international identity was verified. identity international logicWithin reasonof only the and of appropriateness the perorganization. differing reasons within thelogic consequencesof are relevant, although notall of them theto same extent lobby ismuch position than stronger they when engagetry in to All topicthe individually. four because they see it changeis and climate involved environment get with to decided organizations reasons whyboth as a very importantimportant most The of sameimportance. notthe were sixreasons all that was madeclear these topicit interviews and and analyses content on Based realize organization. the of value and identity international that by forming a certainincrease to pursue in policies, issue, salienceof the the preservation of organization, the power block their engage decisionthe with theto topicsand climate change:vehicle, environment of lobbying wish ledsixand of to logic the reasonsmade possible appropriateness, organizations why the concrete consequences logic of the of consisting framework, This wascreated. framework a theoretical concerning do what and Benelux the change, environment the Union and climate Visegrad Group explaining and topic the contextualizing After field? policy in this active quite is EU the though and persist the VisegradGroup with item the environmental of changepolicy and climate even In this thesis an answer has been given to the main research question: Why do the Benelux Union Abstract ii CEU eTD Collection Budapest, June Budapest, 2010 Jobse Jennie all! you Thank year! incredible an this made and family my become thank my family and look like andfriends forbeing there for all of us during the whole academic year. Finally, I would like to should athesis whohow about questions my all areanswering for Varga Iren and months, alwaysfew past these there for me. Secondly, Iwould like tothank professor mysupervisor, Merlingen,forAll his help advice and over my friends hereWithouthelp. their all answers to my this questions have thesis not would been possible. at CEU have Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Visegrad Fund and Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their great Dutch Affairs, Foreign of Ministry Flemish Secretariat, General Union Benelux the from forthere me with help, and encouragements. support Firstof all likeI would tothank thepeople been have people many thesis-writing-process, whole the during months, few last the Throughout Acknowledgements iii CEU eTD Collection BIBLIOGRAPHY...... 59 PEDCS...... 56 APPENDICES CONCLUSION...... 52 THE CHAPTER 4: RESULTS...... 35 THE CHAPTER CHAPTER 3:METHODS ANDCHAPTER TECHNIQUES...... 27 CHAPTER 2:THETHEORETICAL FRAMEWORK...... 16 CHAPTER HPE :HSOY RSN N H OISO NIOMN N LMT HNE...... 8 ...... 1:PRESENT ANDCHAPTER HISTORY, THE TOPICSOF ENVIRONMENT ANDCLIMATE CHANGE H NRDCIN...... 1 INTRODUCTION...... THE V OFLIST TABLES...... IV OF TABLE CONTENTS...... III ...... ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS II ...... ABSTRACT Table ofcontents A A A 4.3. 4.2. 3.4. 3.3. 4.1. 3.2. 2.5. 3.1. 2.4. 2.3. 2.2. 2.1. 1.2. 1.1. C C T T HE RESEARCH QUESTION RESEARCH HE HEORIES HAPTER DIVISION HAPTER SELECTION ASE PPENDIX PPENDIX PPENDIX 4.2.2. 4.2.1. 4.1.2. 4.1.1. 3.1.2. 3.1.1. 1.1.2. 1.1.1. T T C M R F C R L T T T E T OGIC OF APPROPRIATENESS OF OGIC URTHER CASE SELECTION CASE URTHER HE OVERALL CONCLUSION OF THE RESULTS CONCLUSION OF HE OVERALL HE RESULTS OF THE OF RESULTS HE HE LOGIC OF APPROPRIATENESS OF LOGIC HE HE LOGIC OF CONSEQUENCES OF LOGIC HE HE LOGIC OF CONSEQUENCES OF LOGIC HE HE HISTORY AND CURRENT STATE OF AFFAIRS OF STATE CURRENT AND HISTORY HE NVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND CLIMATE CHANGE CLIMATE AND PROTECTION NVIRONMENTAL ONCLUSION ONCLUSION ...... 2 ...... ESULTS OF THE OF ESULTS ESEARCH METHODS ESEARCH 3: 2: 1: ETHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS DATA OF ETHOD DOCUMENTS DOCUMENTS I NVOLVEMENT OF THE THREE ORGANIZATIONS WITH TOPIC WITH ORGANIZATIONS THREE THE OF NVOLVEMENT Interviews of the ...... 45 Benelux Union Content analysis...... 42 Lecture attendance and interviews...... 39 Content analysis...... 35 Interviews and lecture...... 31 Content analysis...... 27 The Visegrad Group...... 10 9 ...... The Benelux Union ...... 4 ...... 7 ...... 34 ...... 26 V ...... 3 ...... B V ISEGRAD ENELUX ISEGRAD B ...... 27 ENELUX ...... 32 G U ...... 33 : G CONCRETE REASONS CONCRETE ROUP NION : ROUP ...... 16 U CONCRETE REASONS NION ...... 22 ...... 58 ...... 35 ...... 57 ...... 42 ...... 49 ...... 8 ...... 23 ...... 17 ...... 12 iv ...... 56 CEU eTD Collection T T T T T List of tables ABLE ABLE ABLE ABLE ABLE 5: 4: 3: 2: 1: R R R I W NFORMATION ABOUT INTERVIEWEES ESULTS CONTENT ANALYSIS AND INTERVIEWS COMBINED ESULTS OF CONTENT ANALYSIS ESULTS OF CONTENT ANALYSIS ORDS AND TERMSOFCONTENTANALYSIS B V ENELUX ISEGRAD ...... 33 U G ...... 31 NION ROUP v ...... 42 ...... 35 ...... 50 CEU eTD Collection January January 30th 2010 2 1 will be used,which questions willbe addressed andhow casethe selection will like. look environmentandit climatechange. introductory will Inthis bechapter which explained theories in thecaseof arevalid reasons be which itwill researched theoretical reasons consequent change even though EUisthe active in field. policy this Based on two theories and six andclimate organizations topic of environment with the deal be two question whythe will research be Union. Benelux The placed on the notonly will therefore inthisthesis emphasis one facingusefulness criticisms about and relevance European incomparison tothe Union. The only the not is and EU the within group cooperation regional only the not is Union Benelux The Union.tasks of European the moneyin comparisonuselessness Benelux giving to against the concept, and reasonsof wasting problem and is therefore completely redundant. is completely problem and therefore has been overhauled by The European the Union’. new hasno2008 Benelux treaty answer tothis ‘the Benelux is that makes he statement interesting Another seriously’. be taken not can therefore Benelux Economic is Union a fossil from 1940s’.the parliament.Benelux the of meetings attend longer no Raymondwill it that stated Netherlands, the in parties political de Roon, member of parliament from 2009 the In a 28th October press statement for the PVV, is of the opinionThe Introduction that ‘the Parliament for the Dutch for the Parliament Harry Member of van AccordingBommel, to withcooperate to parliament. Benelux the Socialistische Partij: http://www.sp.nl/europa/nieuwsberichten/7042/091028-sp_stapt_uit_beneluxparlement.html, Partij van de Vrijheid: http://www.pvv.nl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2288, January 30 Socialist Party (SP), the parliament ‘has a high candy trip content and content trip candy high a ‘has parliament the (SP), 1 2 Several Dutch opposition parties therefore are Party for FreedomPartyfor 1 The PVV is not the only party that refuses (PVV), one of the main th 2010 CEU eTD Collection Cambridge University York: New Press regimes, of international Theories (1997), Rittberger and Mayer Hasenclever, Press; University Cornell 3 their theinstitutions. adherenceto has institution The in a value anditself and of isendowed with define identity identity– through – akindof international theircountries to havecome regional Themember organizations. thebehaviourthe explains of thelogicthat appropriateness of is inthe areas The second possibility inpolicy coordination than EU. exists with different tighter themselves press aheadamongst to want because they shapeor EUpolicy to instrument a lobby topic of environmental policy and climate change. This can be for example because theyconsequences on partof the memberstates the of institutionsthe for isreason see taking the upof the it as institutions. of compliance and change maintenance, creation, with dealing when example for before, institutions explain to logics the have used scholars Other theory. specific one to themselves limit not do and reasons possible of range broad very a cover they as research this for suitable will more it logics on canbetwo focus theories, these most much arethe these saidherethat of appropriateness and logicthe of consequences. Although theoretical the in framework chapter deal with a topic that is also been dealt with by Europeanthe Union. These theories are logicthe itis possible to use some global theories to look at why the Benelux Union and Visegrad Group such as environmentandAlthough noclimate change.earlier exists scholarly work on topic this uptopicshas organizationsEUalsowith,the deals written thaton why specifically these take however one No Union. European the within is function their what and exist still organizations Research Visegrad often dealingUnion or Benelux the with deal with why Group the there. work who individual people notthe institutions, focusesthe on The research question Theories See: Goldstein Keohaneand (1993), Ideas and foreign policy:beliefs, institutions and political change, Ithaca: 3 Based on the two theories two options arise. The first option is that the logic of logic the is that option first The arise. options two theories two the on Based 2 CEU eTD Collection the Benelux Union and Visegrad Group and, on the other hand, the European to in order Union, European hand, and,the other the on Benelux the and Visegrad Group Union hand, one the on of, actions the between are differences and comparisons the what and change, and climate protection environmental concerning unions three do the whatknow necessary to is It question. final the comingresearch to before behave answered to several questions above, puzzle described the Based on in this paper. are researched that categories of the importance research by isimportant interviews doing can therefore useful.verify and It disprove the or qualitative useof research the The question. giveanswer to valid,enough a reliable not to is method analysis content the on reliance sole A thesis. the of results the strengthens it because is suitable approach most the multi-method This interviews. and content analysis derived through andbe by literature addressed answer research the available be existing the tothe will question This willbeansweredquestion the helpof with subquestions.several These subquestions will be question After research thiswill the addressed: with cooperation EU. contextualization the and organizations these between comparisons and differences organizations, between the organizations,involvementwith climate their change,cooperation environmental protection and tasks of background, the the thehistorical thesis investigates Based the puzzleabove, on the The research question together. states legitimacy by the participating states. Also,it may reflect common past experiences that weld the Why do theBeneluxUnion and the Visegrad Groupwith persist theitemof environmental policy and climatechange even though the EU is quite active inthispolicy field? 3 CEU eTD Collection interest within the all-European integration’ but was first and foremost established to support the support foremost established to and butwas first integration’ all-European interestthe within common of fields of in a number together work to region European Central of the countries 4 of these areas are also covered by covered EU. the areasarealso of these Many Union. Benelux to BEU from changed name The affairs. internal and justice development, signed in 2008 which in internal results a focus market, on economic the union, sustainable focused expansion on and of deepening A cooperation. economic the new Benelux was Treaty 1958 Customsthe into Union developed Treaty the of BeneluxEconomicthe Union (BEU)that integration. 1944, European madefirst In back datingthat steps towards to the Luxembourg, and Netherlands the Belgium, between organization intergovernmental isan Benelux The of tasks of institutions.the environmental protection and climate change as case study,instead of looking at the complete set taking of choice is the explained further be should that item Another explanation. an requires Black Sea Economic Cooperation. Choosing only two out of the five institutions therefore Nordic Council and twelve countries, both European well as as Asian, in arerepresented the in the represented are countries Scandinavian Assembly, form the Baltic Balticthe the States European Union. TheCzechRepublic, Poland, Hungaryform and Slovakia Visegrad the Group, As said, the Benelux Union is notthe only intergovernmental smaller institution within the Case selection analyses and interviews, to find out which are the mostlikely reasons. consisting of possiblegive aqualified main answertothe question. Thisfinal will question consistof a theoretical part, answers. After that these answers will be tested with the aid of content Benelux Union: http://www.benelux.be/nl/bnl/bnl_intro.asp, February 6 4 The Visegrad Group ‘reflects the efforts of the 4 th 2010 CEU eTD Collection 9 Montenegro 8 7 6 5 and consists of a mixture of EU inJunefinally created 1992 was (BSEC) bond. Cooperation SeaEconomic cultural The Black member states and non-EU member andcompetitiveness’. competencies Nordic increase and development states. a dynamic to contribute that results achieve to a willingness and values common on built is way. Also the Nordic Council does not have a direct link with the EU: ‘the political co-operation issues’. cultural problems, and expressingacommon international,position concerning political economic, and common addressing interest, mutual of projects and issues discussing level, parliamentary The Baltic Assembly is established ‘for coordinating the Baltic countries' cooperation on the with. deals EUalso the areas that These arepartly aswell. areas other cover to their tasks changed four countries on their way to EU-membership. Now the countries are members of the EU, they unions have Benelux Uniona and directthe Visegrad Group have been chosen for further researchlink in this the organizations, intergovernmental of thesis.between fivetypes these differences the Based on Both with the EU, either region’.as forerunnerstability and prosperity encouraging friendly and good-neighbourly in relations Blackthe Sea of the ensure aswell current peace, as to Member States, among the harmony and interaction fostering at aimed initiative economic and political EUmultilateral of model promising and a unique or ‘as function as being Black Sea Economic Cooperation: http://www.bsec-organization.org/Information/Pages/testt.aspx, April 15th 2010 Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Nordic Russia,Council: http://www.norden.org/en/about-nordic-co-operation, Turkey, February Ukraine,6 Serbia and Baltic Assembly: http://www.baltasam.org/?CatID=26, February 6 Visegrad Group: http://www.Visegradgroup.eu/main.php?folderID=858,January 30 5 9 6 The EU plays no role in this establishment, or at most in a small and indirect 5 th 2010 th 2010 7 th It can be seen as a more 2010 8 Its main goal is to CEU eTD Collection February February 18th 2010 13 its required major problem that a wasbecoming realize environment the to that countries started topics climatetreaty in change 2008about Benelux Union abouttheenvironmentsince and 1970s the signingof sincethe newBenelux the 12 2010 11 10 environment the longer about and changeclimate even years about least twenty for at already Union, issues:the EU with andthese European the deal Benelux Group Union, Visegrad be the issue of environmental case.This will beplaced on one specific will focus depend onwhich as might the topic, EU the protection and climateBecause the answerchange. to the question why the two organizationsAll threedeal with some of the sameactors topics in this essay, the Benelux Union and Visegrad the are Group mostthe suitableinstitutions for this thesis. the EU, making it not a real organization completely withinAlso the the EU. BasedBSEC on doesthese notreasons, consist the of all EU member members member linkeditsdirectly are no of and the states of EU. the with European Union two states. Only three of its members are part of and ‘is amongst the oldest and most extensive regional co-operation in the world’. is accession. years TheNordicbased old oncultural future Council hundredsof especially ties with link no had also establishment for reason prime Their EU. the with in common ground and Council Nordic also a have focusclear on cooperation,mutual interests etc.have but less accession The Baltic future into streamline EU.Assembly the to established of process the order Visegrad Group: http://www.Visegradgroup.eu/main.php?folderID=941&articleID=3937&ctag=articlelist&iid=1, Benelux Union: http://www.benelux.be/pdf/pdf_nl/act/20080617_nieuwVerdrag_nl.pdf, p. 6,February 18 European Commission, DG Climate Action: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/home_en.htm, February Nordic 18thCouncil: http://www.norden.org/en/about-nordic-co-operation, February 6 13 . The concern for the environment came up during the seventies and eighties, when eighties, and seventies the during up came environment the for concern The . 12 and the Visegrad Group sinceboth Group 1999and2004about andtheVisegrad 6 th 2010 10 It is not th 2010 11 , the , CEU eTD Collection 16 Swart, DenHaag, p. 35 15 edition, p.72 omgeving innationaal eninternationaal perspectief 14 given. After this a conclusionto examineof the whole these thesis possibleare used andmethods with threedeals that techniques the applications. Chapter and concrete their and anreasons, answer to afterthe set whichthese questions.research Chapter two will givechapter a theoretical framework explaining thequestion two chosen logicsfour shows for of the no answering are necessary theories Also,there questions. willand these contextualization thebe results of this islink asthe between it adirectthere part in is thesis, contextualization placed the research. in Union Although European the thesetasks belongpartof this results the terrain. answers to this arebetween and them anddifferences comparisons the changeand what andclimate environment their current which organizations, after two begivenof the will ahistorical overview chapter In thefollowing situations division Chapter will be explained and answers climate. political in important current the topics are change therefore and climate protection be given to what they do concerning ministries. also often and policies own common European market with ‘the same conditions about economic activities’. about same conditions with ‘the market common European a of idea the to iscontradictory which national policies’ of diversity ‘great the of because ‘cleanis self-evident’. notenvironment should start acting.They areportin produced 1971 sayingthatthings weregoing andgovernments wrong that After that the ‘public and political consciousness’ started to realize that a Ibid. Van den Bos and Wegter(2009) Europa, wat heb ik eraan? – Wat de EU concreet doet en waarom, Koninklijke De Neelen, Rutgers, Tuurenhout (red.)(2003) 14 De bestuurlijke kaart van Nederland – Het openbaar bestuur zijnen 15 The ‘Club of Rome’ is normally seen as the start of this. of start the as seen normally is Rome’ of ‘Club The European European incooperation area has been this for pleaded , Uitgeverij Coutinho, Bussum, second, completely revised 7 16 Environmental CEU eTD Collection 17 with the topics of environment and climate change in different ways. deal however organizations Both regulations. its and rules EUand deal of the existence the with Union. will both It become that clear Benelux the are Union and Visegrad the Group trying to of, on the one hand, the Benelux Union and Visegrad Group and, on the other hand, the European actions the between are differences and comparisons the what and change climate and protection environmental concerning do EU and V4 BU, the what to given be will answer an that After with. First of all a glance will be cast on the history of the unions and their current state of affairs. being the main actors in this thesis. Therefore, in the following section several topics will be dealt organizations like look nowadays, within European the Union. the how and were goals initial the what up, set were they when establish to important Before goingintodetails what about they concerningdo environmentand climate changeitis are. actually Group Visegrad and Union Benelux is the what bewill addressed that The firsttopic Visegrad Group(V4 (BU)and Benelux Union emphasis on underthe an which discussion, The first issue that will be addressed in change climate this chapter is History,to and 1: topics ofenvironment Chapter andthe present give an overview of the three unions As the Visegrad Group comprises of four countries it is often referred to as the Visegrad Four or V4 1.1. The historyand current state ofaffairs 8 17 ), as ), CEU eTD Collection Economic Community in 1958,and theirsubsequent rules. al, BEUdidnotcompletely the duetotherealize establishment its goals, of European the 21 20 19 18 been done bytheNetherlands has involved.Ratification by actors the for concern seen a cause as home anddurability. affairs justice and economy and market, cooperation: of main areas written with three A newtreaty was in form.notbut same the Benelux concept the continue with was madeto The decision continue. would in shapethe cooperation option, which thefirst for andifthey chose organization, the disband to or cooperation continuethe with whether to date before that decide hadto countries The 1958 treaty was setupfor fifty years, expiringin 2008. Thepolitical leaders of three the cooperation. theBenelux Benelux supports Secretariat-General andthe Benelux-affairs all about informsgovernments ParliamentBenelux advisestheir and Benelux cooperation, the institutions, of of which Committee the Ministers determines theguidelinesandpriorities of the servicesgoods, andmoney and acommon external economic policy’. 1948. The isfirst toan‘economictreaty seenas of ‘free transport union’ the step with people, in only cameinto existence union customs this countries, two the other than much later liberated in 1944 a treaty that would shapecommonly seen as a precursorthe of the European Union. In customs1943 a monetary treaty was signed, and is union. It Luxembourg. and Netherlands Duethe Belgium, of to consisting union the intergovernmental fact that the Netherlandsregional is a (BEU), Union Economic Benelux the as known 2010 until were Union, Benelux The Benelux – actief en actueel, Secretariaat-Generaal van de Benelux, September 2009, p. 5 p. 2009, September Benelux, van de Secretariaat-Generaal actueel, en –actief Benelux Ibid, p. 205 Ibid, p. 205-206 Neelen, Rutgers, Tuurenhout (red.) (2003) p. 204 21 Although up till now the treaty has not been ratified yet, this is not is this yet, ratified been not has treaty the now till up Although 1.1.1. The BeneluxUnion 9 19 The Benelux consists of several sub- several of consists Benelux The 18 According to Neelen et 20 CEU eTD Collection the four countries also played a capital role. They did not want to abandon the idea of one Central of military the cooperation kepton that goinglike nothing washappening. Theintelligentsia of shell’. an‘empty as cooperation Visegrad to the referred people times Several Group. Visegrad the of death the ledto almost events these all and in started fore, war the camethe Yugoslavia to andHungary tensions between Slovakia fell apart, due exist, political Czechoslovakia practically between ceasedto countries. to Group the tensions theVisegrad 1991 immediately after Almost its creation. since BEUtheV4facedmany the crises December 1991, when the association agreements with the EU were signed. with EUwere the agreements whentheassociation December 1991, in reached EUwasalready the a memberof becoming of integration.goal The of European goal the an on emphasis andclearly put Way Integration’ of Cooperation European … on the integration in the existing European structures. The joint statement was titled ‘The Declaration on and andfull cooperation economy marketlegacy, modern creating a Soviet getting of the rid http://www.europeum.org/doc/arch_eur/EPF_future_of_Visegrad.pdf, accessed: April23 25 24 23 2010; Comite Nieuwe Benelux: http://www.benelux2010.com/nl/data/brochureNL.htm, accessed:April 24th 2010 22 structures’. Czechoslovakiain goal 1993.Thefirst ‘incorporation into foremost and was transatlantic of disintegration the after Four Visegrad the became Havel. It initiativeVaclav of the on Three, The Visegrad Groupwas establishedmuch later than Beneluxthe inUnion, 1991, astheVisegrad matter, not a case of conflicting interests oropposing notinterests acase sides. matter, of conflicting and Luxembourg. InBelgium processis still the delaycontinuing butthe ismerely a procedural Rusnak (2004),Is there any forfuture Visegrad Cooperation within EU?,via: Ibid, p. 6 p. 5-6 Bratislava, (2001), Guide Economic Countries Visegrad Benelux newsletter, NL, March 2010/1, General Secretariat of the Benelux Union, p. 6; interview 2, April 8 23 Whilst the BEU aimed at economic cooperation, the main tasks of the V4 were 1.1.2. The Visegrad Group Visegrad The 10 25 However, it did not die, most of all in the area 22 rd 2010, p.1 24 In comparison to comparison In th CEU eTD Collection Slovak Republic on cooperation of the Visegrad Group countries after their accession to the European Union (2004) Union European the to accession their after countries Group Visegrad of the cooperation on Republic Slovak 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 cooperation ‘has now evolved and hasbeen in sense.trivialized a Thefocusgood ismuch more commonthe unrealisticto today’. makes considerableposition adjustment any common Visegrad solidarity.negotiationsduring areinternally Stakes EU very high, which of favour in interest national own its of concession ‘real no show countries Visegrad the often issues. important on positions common declared this ‘newversion’ of still Visegradthe Group lay on joining the EU.They,more then previously, increased feeling belongingness. and the NATOmembers of became Poland Republic Czech Hungary,membership the that and for EU had they applied factthat circle. The in needfor originated cooperation into a concrete and the theirof back gettingaspiration Slovakia Visegradcontinue‘determination transition to joining the cooperation to andthe developing theEU of Group achievements. countriessee any not practical they do as thecooperation about four areskeptical countries of citizens the as Member States of the European Union and NATO’. andeconomy’. rights civil values, market ‘traditional inEuropean with arenaonly dealing the political butalso not cooperation, Visegrad reestablish with a treaty the to signingthe of changed in1998, ‘near-death’ The of situation andlaw systems’ reachedwas in countriesjoined2004 when the EU. the area. European Declaration of Prime Ministers of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Hungary, Ibid. the Republic of Poland and the Ibid. p. 3 Ibid. p. 2 Ibid. p. 6-7 Ibid. Ibid. Ibid. 32 26 In 2004 a new declaration was set up, which changed the focus from from economic focus up, which changedthe set was In new2004 a declaration Their goal of ‘full incorporation into European Their security the political, economic, incorporation goal ‘full of 28 This change inthe of opinions politicalthe leaders 11 30 Solidarity however remains a difficult topic, as 27 29 The emphasis of emphasis The 31 Also, the 33 The CEU eTD Collection viewpoints concerningthe agenda viewpoints of ‘alignment is the moment the at topic important An in total. market labour the on economy ‘green jobs’,findingwhat theimpact out is these jobsof green and aconsequently green an important means of reaching these goals. These exchanges consist of studies about so called 38 37 36 35 2010 http://www.mfa.gov.hu/kum/en/bal/foreign_policy/V4_presidency/visegrad_cooperation.htm, accessed: April 24 34 sources. energy renewable of topic the on cooperation their extend development of new technologiesEuropean legislation. that try to with is policy.to theadvancementconnected of enactment environmental the of the This repressIt is aimed CO2-emission. at air quality,and climate aims at developing sustainability The criteria and the exchangefineparties of ‘best practices’ related particles also and in existswithintheir tasks since2008.The Benelux cooperation the field environment of the agreed and water to quality, new topic is of change a completely climate topic The inof newturn 2008. treaty the different as well as the Benelux Union is involved with topicthe of already environmentthe 1970s since the butgave ita countries asaregion’. our about to think We have started field from of political culture. the (is) coming achievement of Visegrad question what the the questionconcerning unions three what do environmental change. protection and climate After explaining the background of the two organizations itis possible to give an answer to the events’. monumental of instead details on practical Yearplan 2010 Benelux Union, p. 7 Common work program 2009-2012 Benelux Union, p. 14 Forextended table see appendix 1 Quote from JanUrban, via: http://www.radio.cz/en/article/32172, accessed: April 24th2010 Affairs: Foreign of Ministry Hungarian 1.2. Environmental protection and climate change 35 environment andclimate 12 34 A political commentator said that ‘the best of the Belgian EU-presidency’. Belgian the of 37 Exchange of information is information of Exchange 38 36 The th CEU eTD Collection accessed: June 2 June accessed: statement, via: http://www.visegradgroup.eu/main.php?folderID=939&articleID=24126&ctag=articlelist&iid=1, 40 February 16th 2010 http://www.mfa.gov.hu/NR/rdonlyres/FD5D5C9A-C7AD-488C-9CEF-9AD6968B9E48/0/V4Programeng0605.pdf, 39 to try that diplomacy’, ‘green agreements, environmental multilateral example for are means biotechnology. and airthe in products, are tolerated that chemicals deal has to ruleswith andregulations. strict arerules There aboutthe types andamountof through means both of practical measures ‘ideological’and more means. The industry in EU the EU is activelydecrease and usethe fossil of fuelsbe has tochanged for biofuels, electricity hydrogen. or The trying to has use energy of amount total the increase, to has energy Durable to emissions. these reduce to improve measures rangeof forthe abroad consent gavetheir EU-leaders The treaty. by meansof a worldwide environmentalbiggest problems for humanity’. Theymake efforts toreduce emissionthe gasses of greenhouse circumstances environmental health and sustainable The development. EUsees change as‘oneclimate of the biodiversity, change, andmeasures:climate of finallytopics repertoire The hasanextended EU and stop climate changerecycling,issues butthe bigger arenot upon. touched flood boundary as some prevention and issuessuch practical with problems waters, waste and climate. Thereare do much environment not does the on of terrain the from theGroup this Apart ministers. prime the of meetings and countries four the of Ministers Environment the of exchange ofinformation concerning these andreach topics wantsto this yearly through meetings of positions on the negotiations on climate change related opinion andcoordination strengtheningexchange region inand of security the the environmental issues. four countries as‘particularly important’ and focuses, on amongst others, followingthe topics: coordination sees and the among protection of The Visegrad environment subsequent the Group Press release July 10 Program of Hungarianthe Presidency of Visegradthe Group – July 2010 – June 2011: nd 2010 th 2009: ‘16th Meeting of the Environment Ministers of the Visegrad Group Countries’ Joint Countries’ Group Visegrad of the Ministers Environment of the Meeting ‘16th 2009: 13 40 39 The Group mainly aims at an The ideologically driven CEU eTD Collection http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/environment/pdf/management_plan_2010.pdf,accessed: June 2 41 concerning environment and climate change. andclimate environment concerning yearly meetingsfrom apart However, with. itself it concerns issues that some practical andhas information of and these together asablock.finally aims also Group Visegrad cooperation The and atanexchange work practicaltheir extend to want also They yet. with occupied been not has EU the that paths find to try they issues and EU the of policies the with is alink There plans. concrete have already they years ago two there is not backto dates only change climate with involvement their Although countries. three the concern much that measures that concrete at and information of an exchange at aims Union Benelux the Secondly, the Visegrad let As governments. blockheardbevoice stage. their to they international onthe are able a Group doesindustries national and citizens, of their influenceaffairs daily toconcretely position in a are They measures. extended themost EUhas the that clear become has it of all, First and what does itmean for the seriousness with which they deal with the topic? differences intheirare theconcrete what policies topic. the But towards attitudes have different topic of environmental protection and climate change itbecomes clear that the three institutions andhandleUnion theEuropean Group Visegrad looking the ways the BeneluxUnion, the at the now. When be andUnion, given Benelux also the European Visegrad Group can Union and the of actions the between are differences and comparisons the what question the to answer The the best. forsituation current changethe should number that large programs of European the Union are a Within level. aninternational on protection environmental change and climate solve theissueof Management Plan 2010 , DG Environment: via: 41 14 nd 2010 CEU eTD Collection gap within gap within countries. three the knownfor not acting them. find is fill topic agapinwhich yetandthey They try to EU the this a better was already protection Environmental issues. useful some with itself concerns but change climate about cooperation of stages initial the in still is Union Benelux The it. about talking than apartget any but, from notit and further a fewconcrete things,does climate, environment the itis saysimprove acting Group with the to indifferentthat ways. The Visegrad these topics deal they that clear become has it and shown been has change climate and environment with deal tofocus moreneighbours itsits andstarted which on position withinto EU.Theextent they the left its and goal goals asthese Group wereachieved, Visegrad EU andNATO-integration, of aimedaffairs andless ateconomic more atcurrent union. developmentand customs The Union. The Benelux Union, after the expirationdeal longhistory by with to andinteresting and European aretrying caused the consequences the of the old treaty, decided to setit In has become Benelux both chapter this that andthe have the clear a Union Visegrad Group up a new treaty 15 CEU eTD Collection http://www.arena.uio.no/publications/wp04_9.pdf,p. 2,accessed: February 19 42 my values and basedchoosing ‘the on that has thebestalternative that consequences’. expected for my alternatives of are theconsequences my values,what are what my alternatives, what are interests’. his own alternativesin a rational assumeschoice problem’.that‘man’s natural It ispursue to proclivity as) (aretreated andinterpretations rules ‘possible that holds of The logic consequences actions. explainable to different several are general but ofbehaviour thatcan specific logics be usedinmanysituations andare theory making it easiergive to avariety of possible reasons, and related to that, they do notfocus on one theories, broad very are they of firstall, because, question research the find to answer an to suitable most are the logics These appropriateness. of logic the and consequences of logic the on be placed will The focus of reasons. aframework possible create isto it change necessary climate answer theget organizationsinvolvedTo question why two and the decided to with environment two the organizations. decisions of for the reasons possible giving six concrete with continue consequences of logic the logics, two of consist will answers These change. climate and environment and the logicwill beof appropriateness.givenIn theoreticalthis the framework main question be will addressed.Firstof all answers theoretical to why the BeneluxBasedChapter 2: The theoretical framework on theseUnion two and logics the Visegradthe chapter Groupwill deal with the topic of March and Olsenand March (2009) The logic of appropriateness, ARENA Papers Working WP 04/09,via: 42 Acting according means logicthis to about followingthinking the steps: 2.1. The logic of consequences 16 th 2010, p. 5 (footnote) p. 5 2010, CEU eTD Collection 49 NY, p. 233 48 Management, Free Press, NY, p. 294 47 46 45 44 43 process’. made political inthe are that choices collective the of analysis the to of models rationality micro-economic apply to attempt ‘is an theory choice Rational limited rationality is a possibility. a is rationality limited or bounded only that accept therefore rationality about writing scholars the of Most possible. not goals’. personal their of pursuit the in choices conscious meaning rationalindividual behaviour, and complete people assumes and makethat ‘deliberate advantage’. personal and byincentives ‘motivated that are contracts’ and calculation on‘rational decisions By acting ‘in conformity with rules that constrain conduct’ it means that the actor bases his or her benefit analyses intomakebenefitanalyses order their decisions. itself in bureaucratization’. expresses ever-increasing of march by which technical are‘shapedand managerial rationality, organizations relentless the protection and climate change is that the actors involved see the organizations as involvedis organizations effective actors that the protection and change climate seethe The firstpossible reason can be that the two organizations givenfor why deal with environmental of logic consequences. the within can bereasons given concrete Four Ibid, p. 235-236 Stone (2002) Policy Paradox – The Art of Political DecisionMaking, revised edition, W.W. Norton& Company, Mintzberg, Ahlstrand and Lampel (1998) Strategy –A Safari Guided TourThrough theWilds of Strategic Ibid. Ibid., p. 16 Ibid, p. 5 Ibid. 1. Lobbying vehicle 43 Rules ‘reflect interests andpowers’. interests Rules ‘reflect 2.2. The logic ofconsequences: concrete reasons 48 All actors involved will use cost-benefit analyses and risk- 17 49 44 47 Complete rational behaviour however is 46 In the words of Max Weber, the Weber, Max of words the In 45 Itlooks at the CEU eTD Collection 54 lidmaatschap voor subnationale overheden 53 52 policy actors 51 50 increased. of developing abigger in role andimplementation creation the of European policies has itself. organization integration theimportance ‘progression the process’ Due to of European the lobbying vehicles. This can have been both fora reason memberthe andfor states the will will enlarge. region the of position bargaining the and region the has EU about the that knowledge the increase ingain influence governments, position astronger to vis-à-vis willalso EU.This order the local or representations regional with other agenda,cooperating by European the influence influence they could have on the policies of the EU. possible the and for region their of EU the importance of morethe aware became governments regional the areas, policy of number increasing an on EU-rules of amount increasing national park to cooperation between units. cooperation between police to national park of from a sharedcare rangingthe projects, hasUnion many cross-border The Benelux areas. hisgovernments is assumption intergovernmental also applicable to projects deal that with border subnational about speaks he Whilst regions. border between cooperation encouraging Group. Both Visegrad the and Union Benelux the as types such cooperation regional of forms areintergovernmental focusing on their lookingat when is alsovalid it representations, atregional looks article this specific status within the can European on the chessboard’. be Group new partners Visegrad as ‘potential seen EU. De Rooij statesincrease the ways influencingof the EUbecomesmoreimportant. The Benelux Union and that the EU is Benelux – active and timely, informationbrochure (2009), p. 27, 40 De Rooij (2003) Ibid. Huysseune Jansand (2008), Van derKnaap Hiltermanand ‘Bestuurskunde’,in 1997, jaargang 6, nr. 6 50 , Brussels Studies, e-journal, issue 16, 25February 2008, p. 4 In an article about regional representations the authors state that, due to the to due that, state authors the representations regional about article an In 52 As governments feel more and more the influence of the EU, the necessity to necessity the EU, the of influence the more and more feel Asgovernments Nederlandse gemeenten provincies en in de Europese Unie–gevolgen vanhet nationaleEU- Brussels as thecapitalofregions?a Europe of the Regional offices asEuropean , Kluwer, Deventer, p. 1 18 54 51 These policies can give the organization a According tothe authors, the regions try to 53 Although CEU eTD Collection 60 59 58 57 Ratsprasidentschaft, Osteuropa, 58, 7/2008, p.153-163 56 55 sometimes also called one of the of Visegradthe Group, environmentthe and climate arenoteven mentioned. policies Group. Visegrad of the states. three other the with its cooperation increase to chance a itsawthis had Whenas theVisegrad-presidency Republic by Union. Czech the European the be more strict policies, or different can These policies. certain pursue to want the organizations, of staff the contents leaders,or national the that are not covered, or coveredbecause topics andclimate uptheenvironment take organizations the is that The secondreason in a different way, agreement canbefurther in and investigated thesis.Although this isnoclearthere controversy pursue certainwish to policies hascontributed totheinclusion topicsof two in these 2004 the important topic, other do not even include it in their list. Therefore the possibility remains that the up, the literature disagrees on importancethe of environment and climate. Some sources call it an ‘ and topics as important areseen change programperspective however, Neighbourhood withinand the Eastern climate environment indicate that a wish to pursue certain policies is not a valid possibility. was which one Seen from yet another countries. larger influencing the claim to EU policies, of asthey already agree on things within three the Ibid, p. 159 Ibid, p. 158 Ibid, p. 156 Ibid. De Rooij (2003), p. 55 Karlas, KoranKarlas, and Tulmets (2008) Prag,die Visegrad-Gruppe und die EU – Tschechiens Ziele in derEU- 2. Wish topursuecertain policies 55 Thestoryiscountries. for theVisegrad same the ‘nachhaltige und sichere Energie’ sichere und ‘nachhaltige 57 On the other hand, when looking at the most important policies important most the at looking when hand, other Onthe Schlusselgebiete strategisch wichtige Fragen’ 19 , key areas, of cooperation. Visegrad key areas, of , , a topic belonging environmental the to , atopic 56 It focused on five themes, of . 59 Environment is Environment 58 This might This 60 To sum CEU eTD Collection 10/2006, p. 28 63 62 2010, p. 1 WorkingResearch PapersSeries, November2002, via:http://ssrn.com/abstract_id=372280, accessed: May 25 Research, Assessment and Decision Making 61 themselves in the political world’. political the in themselves situate and more to effectively to operate allowingcut’ actors ‘asa‘short have work people the relevanceshow to try actors national key or institutional ofeither because this the do they is that reason organizationslast The in order to preserve them. The values and beliefs tobesolved.attempted that these makers relevant organizationsor andlikely the more itis that the topic willbe addressed and likely more it thissalience of more attention that topiccatches becomes of the this topic, policy the increasing words in other acertain topic, on you place more emphasis the that They argue decision makingisitis publics’ andsay to be bodies or issue that overlooked. shouldnot an that somethinglikely al. bedone.Cash et will information that salienceasbeing‘howrelevant define and environment change, the climate salience the increase they of issuethe more andthus makeit may deal by multiplyingThe thirdbelieveactors isthat that international reason that actors with facing can also be a problem within the Benelux Union. V4are the that problems same the Benelux Union, the about literature in the topic the about on on networks they preservingpersonal networks, value asimportant. their Ruzicka, Koran Ruzicka,(2006) Totgesage leben– Dielanger Visegrad-Gruppe dem EU-Beitritt,nach Osteuropa, 56, March and Olsen(2009), p.22 Cash,Clark, Alcock, Dickson, Jäger Eckley (2002)and 4. 3. Preservationthe organization of Increase inthesalienceofissue 61 62 The actors within the Visegrad Group Theactorswithinfor example Group arekeen Visegrad the , John F.Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Faculty 20 Salience, Credibility,Legitimacy andBoundaries: Linking 63 Symbolic resources Symbolic th CEU eTD Collection 67 66 65 64 oldthe topics. sticking to inor new and treaty the climate of environment implementation between new treaty, no or treaty a new acting,between not or between acting can made, be that isa choice there that symbolic meanssymbolic of theimportance institutions.of increasing the clearly implement the topic of environment and climate change in the treaty can be seen as a When taking these two streams of stories together, the value of the new treaty and the decision to somethingthat is goingbetreaty wrong.of Theend firstthe seenasanew opportunity.can helplessness and control however focuses on ways to control this problem, instead of just stating present asin the previous stream, namely the idea that there is a decline of influence. The story of is idea initial same The control’. and ‘helplessness of story the is stories narrative of stream governments however influencedo value the and organizations relevance.citizens of countriesthe involved mighthavelost interestin institutions,the causing a declining They and dowant not tosee continue whydecline’, the organizationwith them. can The of ‘story the stream, streams. Thefirst two into be split can shouldstories narrative The secondtheirbe decision. relevant still exist. here The itUnionbecomes explain and they Visegrad Group, that clear can beusedto their behaviour and nationalas a story of it. use who people the of response the decline of A ‘is symbol anythinginfluence that for stands something else’ and dependsontheinterpretation, useand of the BU and V4. The from organization inuncertainty its environment’. protect These areused‘to the such resources as reputation,status. and are concepts prestige Ibid, p. 144 Ibid, p. 138-142 (2002), Stone p.137-138 Mintzberg,Ahlstrand and Lampel (1998), p. 294-295 67 65 When applying these symbols to the case of the Benelux 21 64 66 The assertion of both stories is stories both of assertion The CEU eTD Collection 72 71 70 69 68 practices are seen as the most important way institution important way most and andlearninginan practices of working are seen as the norms and rules, these in institutions, working these of way the thatdefine common practices political life is by ordered institutions’, and institutions are acollection of normsrules, and action. and work for institution.this the cannot then they do not do they If institutions. these of rules and norms the follow to have They them. to adhere to areexpected and norms has the and employees its institution values procedures, Every own follow the norms, rules and codesof conduct asareacceptable in institution the for.they work actors the that means behaviour appropriate of rules by driven is action human that statement The defined by March as:and Olsen is logic This is appropriateness. logic of there the logic the consequences of to In comparison often tacit, understandings of what is true, reasonable, natural, right, andgood’. isreasonable, right, natural, of understandings true, what often tacit, based onmutual,and ofacollectivity, proceed institutionalized the practices according to ‘to rule. the of validity question the not Ibid, p. 4 Ibid, p. 7 Ibid, p. 7 Ibid, p. 6 March and Olsen(2009), p. 2 in a specific type of situation. institutions. Embedded in a social collectivity, they do what they see as appropriate for themselves membership inapoliticalor community group, ethos, and the practices andexpectations ofits and legitimate.Actors seek to fulfill theobligations encapsulated in a role, anidentity, a organized into institutions. Rules are followed they because are asnatural, rightful,seen expected, … aperspective thatseeshuman actionasdriven byrules of exemplary appropriate orbehavior, 70 Most of the rules are seen as obvious and as a fact. This means that most actors do actors most that means This fact. a and as asobvious seen are rules the of Most 2.3. 68 The logic of appropriateness 71 The logic of appropriateness says that acting appropriate is: acting appropriate Thelogic saysthat of appropriateness 69 22 The rules dictate what is appropriate behaviour is what appropriate dictate Therules 72 As ‘democratic As CEU eTD Collection 78 77 76 75 74 73 come to define their international identity – a kind of regional identity – through their adherence their through – identity regional of a kind – identity international their define to come member based is logicThe first have ofappropriateness reason on theory of the countries that Two concrete reasons can be given within the logic of appropriateness. lifeasawhole. political institutions?’ prescriptions be believed to natural exemplaryor and why rules varydo across polities and appropriatenessin firstthe place. Or,as March and Olsen, putit: ‘why are specific behavioural andpractices’. rules and prescriptive rational terms. rational notjust in efficiency terms, as would be the case with the logic of consequences,but also in value failure will not. the behaviour that in the past caused a success will most likely be repeated, behaviour that caused survival and reproduction institutions,of identities roles and based on particular rules’. In short: collectivities experiences, lessons and from past, on the theselessonsare‘encoded either byindividualsand drawing inferences from their own for appropriately’. capability acting and others’complexities of upon demands the that they them’, meaning ‘by are limited institutionalizedthe experiences, or by differential Ibid, p. 14 Ibid, p. 12 Ibid, p. 12 Ibid, p. 10 Ibid, p. 5 Ibid, p. 5 1. International identity 76 78 They believe the answer lies in the past. The actors base their actions on previous on actions their base actors The past. the in lies answer the believe They 77 When trying to change a rule it has to be validated that the change is a good one good is a change the that validated be to has it rule a change to trying When 2.4. 73 The institution ‘(links) roles/identities, accounts of situations, resources Logic ofappropriateness: concrete reasons 75 74 The question that remains now is why there are rules of The actors in the institutions however are ‘limited by the 23 CEU eTD Collection Governments, McGraw – Hill, fourth, international edition, p.75 83 82 81 80 European Sociological Review, vol. 14, No. 3, p. 247 79 tied to the legacyNielsen and Salk state that the most important predictor of regionalof representations is verythe much regional history national in policymakers. case are actors this The calculus. any instrumental and theto the institutions. This may reflecttype common past experiences that weld the states together beyond of country. towards Slovakia, which lead to the materialization of citizenship’. of ‘second-class materialization lead tothe Slovakia, which towards often they diverged. also However, another. one to linked been often also have histories Their Eastern-Europe. than entity different asa of asCentral-Europe, allseethemselves TheVisegradcountries. part different countries can regionaltherefore block identity have astrong see of instead asa three and themselves They similarities. cultural many have and history common long a share countries Benelux The centuries. over boundaries their changing on kept others had, always they as territory Different forms of regionsgovernments to make the decision to set up a regional form of cooperationare or continue with it. materializing. within region a Brussels.as tie The with ismake and region the already it for will this agovernmentor there easier itself represent to wish a to leads also region the with bond cultural strong A Some regionsethnicity, history. or culture This feeling leads to an urge torepresentitself on a regional level. or countriesinhabitants of an area identify themselves with this area because of resemblances inlanguage, still have regional presence of leads toahigherfeelings strong The of chance regional representations. the same Gallagher, Laver, Mair(2006) Representative Government inModern Europe: Institutions, Parties, and See chapter 1 of this thesis Greenwood (2007) Ibid, p. 248 Nielsen andSalk (1998) The Ecology of Collective Action and Regional Representation inthe European Union, Interest representation inthe European Union 82 There was a feeling of superiority of the Czech Republic 24 , Palgrave Macmillan, second edition, p. 232 79 According to them the them to According 83 Becauseof 81 80 CEU eTD Collection p. 25 87 86 85 84 logic of larger-scale structures such as ‘capitalism’, ‘the nation-state’ recently more and ‘the nation-state’ such ‘capitalism’, as structures larger-scale logic of reflect overall the ‘(they) seento Bara and are Pennington involved. to According of actors the ethnicity’. and religion, race, class, nation, gender, such as larger ideologies,and professions belongings social categories to institutions, andeducations, political specific importance of ‘relative thefollowing: behaviour’ are of codes appropriate and identification of political targets ‘govern that factors March andthe Olsen to According institutionsfor which identify they They with work. and mission them their and well-being. the value they because organizations the preserve to want they and ones, national than rather institutional actors are environment addition of behindthe drivers the isthat The secondreason themselves as a block. sometimes largethe languagesof amount histories, and ethnic four the groups, cultures, countries can also be seen as strikingly different from one another. motion’. of institutional structures; institutionalare governedby different structures ‘lawsof different functional parts between the of is a reflection relationships social primarily action the the on stage of theory this institutional determineare: the contentof structures people’s interests and beliefs; ‘individual perceptionsof arelargely socialthe Thea product maincharacteristics environment’. however are that the Visegrad is a ‘ Visegrad the arethat however Bara Pennington and (2009) Comparative Politics – Explaining Democratic Systems,Los Angeles,London: Sage, Herrmann, Risse and Brewer(2004), in: March andOlsen (2009), p. 14 Ruzicka, Koran (2006), Ibid. 2. Value of theorganization 87 The main idea behind this theory is that the institutions frame the interests and beliefs and interests the frame institutions the isthat theory this behind idea main The p. 28 p. 85 Markenzeichen 25 ’, a brand, with which they can present can they which with a brand, ’, 86 March and Olsen assume that assume Olsen and March 84 Current opinions about this CEU eTD Collection values. and goals its with identify because they keep the organizations want to of organizations the employees the that says and itself organization the of value the is reason second The accordingly. identity of isreason theinternational first The possible reasons. two finally created logic of appropriateness the region. give The moreand itself tasks itpreserve theorganization and therefore responsibilities. wantto They see themselves is national thatthe reason actors fourth The canbeaddressed. change and environment climate as a of where topic more platforms create the to issuein the of increaseorder salience to the block, not is they try that three Reason asit organizations. in implement two the therefore and policies certain individualpursue to want governments national the that assumes reason second The EU. the as such circles countries, isreason actorssee as their thatthe a means organizations in oflobbying international other and act first The reasons. possible four created of consequences logic The reasons. possible several gives logics, logic the basis of thischapter of of and logic the appropriateness, two consequences Union deal and Visegrad Group with environment and change climate has been explained. On the In this andconcretepossible framework thetheoretical why for chapter reasons Benelux the organization.the themselves with institutions create their own 89 88 ‘globalization’’. Ibid. Ibid. p. 26 88 The individuals do not come Thenot individuals do upwith a raison d’être 89 2.5. . Thepeople involved identify organization in the Conclusion 26 raison d’être of the institution but the CEU eTD Collection 92 91 to be) objective, systematic and quantitative. and systematic to be)objective, that are used constructto acoding frame thatis then applied textualto data’.is It (or atleast tries handother a adopts positivist and thedevelopment approach ‘involves of analytical categories 90 populate andare held world the in that objects place’. werecreated is that interpretivequalitative, constructionist’, ideas and exploring and how‘socially produced According to Hardy et al., discourse analysis ‘is a methodology for analyzing social phenomena research question. Therefore the choice was made to make a combination of methods. choiceof wasmadetomakeboth acombination the Therefore question. research the to answer reliable valid, a give to enough not is interviews on or method analysis content method approach was made in order to strengthen the results of the thesis. A sole reliance on and thethe second one is interviews. As also stated in the introductory chapter, the choice for amulti Two different types of research methods were used in this thesis. The first one is content analysis will andwas made how be analysis data the the of done. methods asresearch interviews analysis explainand for why is content to choice this chapter the of purpose be which arevalid, The done. will finding reasons theresearch,out theoretical how As the theoretical framework has been given in the previous chapter, itis now possible toexplain Chapter 3:Methods andtechniques Neuendorf (2002) The Content Analysis Guidebook,Sage Publications, p.1 Ibid., p. 20 Herrera and Braumoeller, Symposium: 3.1. Discourse and Content Analysis 3.1.1. Research methods Research 91 Content analysis Content 92 27 , Qualitative Methods, Spring 2009, p. 19 90 Content analysis on the on analysis Content CEU eTD Collection http://www.Visegradgroup.eu/main.php?folderID=941; all accessed23 March http://www.Visegradgroup.eu/main.php?folderID=939, http://www.Visegradgroup.eu/main.php?folderID=859 and 95 94 93 author ‘simply reports findings’. ‘simplyon objective author reports meaningof analysis, in ofconstruction process’ the doing contentanalysis the discourse when necessarily link text context’. to A last difference deals with reflexivity. Whilst the authoris ‘part not ‘does analysis content and context’ in discursive texts understand only ‘can analysis discourse is that three Difference objectivity. prefers analysis content subjectivity, assumes analysis Whilstdiscourse objectivity. and subjectivity with deals Another difference time’. over consumption’, content analysis looks at ‘textual contentin comparison to other texts, for example and of aswell dissemination, practices production, other texts, as usually inrelation to as meaning, source ‘textual analysis sees discourse data of the all,can bemade.First whilst four statements analysis, content and analysis discourse between difference the at looking When Several documents will be under review in this thesis. in this review under be will documents Several analysisContent of textVisegrad Group: material the methodit foranalysis thisiscontent isbest in research. the section, this clearthat described as analysis discourse and analysis content between differences the at looking When review. under documents the from independent is author The context. any of independent be evaluated also can of the thesis, when interpreting Only end the at will beseenasobjectivedocuments. and The statements documents in texts. the the results, willThe focus in this contentsubjective analysis will lay on several words and terms and how often these appear statements be made. The documents be under investigation. EnvironmentMinistersThese of countries Visegradthe Group in yearsthe between 1999 and2009 will documents are relevant because they are set up after each of the Allthese documents can be found on thewebsite of Visegrad the Group: Neuendorf (2002),p. 5-6 Herrera Braumoellerand (2009), p.21 93 28 94 The researcher is not involved in process. the involved is not Theresearcher 95 First of all the joint statements of the rd 2010 CEU eTD Collection 97 96 environment and the newest topic of newest and the topic of change. climate environment common program work and theannual finally plan concretepointsgive of action concerning the show the current state also andnewsletter brochure The information seen are now as important. areasthat the shows of affairs and the issues Union Benelux the oftheestablishment of treaty The things. deal with side of environmental the that are importantdecisions about specificmeetings documents or arewritten three between 1975 and1982 at this The momenta newsletter. and plan annual and program a work brochure, ininformation an committees, time. The and meetings to related documents specific are documents These be review. will under Union Benelux current the and Union Economic Benelux former the of documents several Also analysisContent of Benelux Union:the text material statement. joint in the meeting of Ministers the of givinginformationmore Environment, thatmeeting about than given guidelines about sixteenth areasof the future andVisegrad cooperation apress of release the the cooperation, Visegradof the contents the about document arethe documents relevant Other moment. from that fiveafter theother EUaccession, before the from date statements moments those under at and Twoof decisions. jointthe discussion for reasons the their meetings of the four Ministers of Environment and give a good image of the topics that were The precise information of the documents can be found in appendix 3 in appendix be found can documents of the information precise The 2 in appendix be found can documents of the information precise The 96 29 97 CEU eTD Collection increasein conflicting the salience of issue. Due the to ways of spelling in and documents the is lastphrase The consequence. no is of it whether or them for event important an as EU-enlargement the see they whether accession do not play any role anymore. Itis important for the Benelux Union in order to find out whether implementation of the EU rules and regulations or other lingering consequences of EU- to the European Union is still on the minds of the actors dealing with the Visegrad Group, or organizations. The word The organizations. international other to references many be presumably should there then identity international EU. When claiming that there is an increase in the salience of the issue or the creation of an official documents. The fourth Thefourth phraseis official documents. or word the Thirdly, organizations. the of identity international the and issue the of salience six concretepossibilities mostly fits but pursue certain wish with to the policies, increasein the second phrase is phrase second increaseandissue The of an change. and option inthesalience the of environment climate the of mostly asalobbying hasoption possibilities,the thisword vehicle alinkto of organization the The first word is word first The two. givenseveral inlinked tothe theoreticalchapter framework andphrasesbe thatare to words paid opinion viewpoint.is it Therefore or look at necessary the to Attention official reasons too. will a different have might who actors with deal interviews the as documents in official statements the with necessarily correlate not will interviews the from theinformation stated, As previously Content analysis of bothinstitutions: the unit of analysis and categories climate change common interest cooperation will be at looked tofindhow out often this wordis actually mentioned in the enlargement . Although it can fit within both the two logics and their concrete their and logics two the both within fit can it Although . global issue or commongoal is in tofind whether 2004accession important the order out names ofinternational institutions , which has a direct link with the possibility of an 30 . This phrase also belongs to almost all of the such as the UN or the or UN the as such climate CEU eTD Collection van onderzoek,van Stenfert Kroese Groningen, third, revised edition, p.184 98 certain issues. questionscan direct quite about ask researcher the therefore and necessary, is information of kind which beforehand is known it that interviewsbestthis assumption the handlesfrom semi-structured type. type arethe thesis This find their interviewsFor orunstructured structured, semi-structured answersto to questions. the choose researchers research of type the on Depending ways. in several held be can Interviews change. climate relevance and of the relevance of the choices they made about dealing with environment and istherefore way a good findhow to out Benelux the Union tries toconvince its public ofits why Beneluxthe isinstitution.Union animportant Paying quotes attention andto sentences specificallyinforming aimed at the largerpublic inthethreecountries and explainingto them is insources these Information newsletters. and brochures information of consists material Apart from this, attention will also be paid to interesting quotes and sentences. Some of the text Table 1: Words and terms of content analysis all the six words and phrases that will be part of the analysis. of possibilities givealternative brackets between words the word, the of phrasing several options 6 Global Global issue 6 5 Enlargement Names of 4 international Climate 3 Common interest2 1 Cooperation Baarda and De Goede (2001)Basisboeken Methoden Technieken –Handleiding voor opzettenhet en uitvoeren institutions Official word/phrase Global problem / global need / global … - account Abbreviations in arealsotakeninto Co-operation Europe. Co-operation forand Organization Development, Security and United for Economic European Nations, Union, Organization change Climate Common goal, common plan, common … Co-operation, co-operating, cooperating Other options / ways of spelling 3.1.2. Interviews and lecture and Interviews 31 98 However, the interview can still goanother canstill interview the However, CEU eTD Collection was not possible to schedule an interview withsomeone from the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs 100 99 informationfollowing more table interviewees the about canbefound: thisand eventmore are update withto matter the than Poland andthe Czech Republic. for preparations making that they are expected becan It therefore nextPresidency. holdwill the Benelux Union theVisegrad andor Group hadknowledge athorough subject.the Slovakia about the wereworkingfield dealingwith ina All actors. actors several held were Interviews with As this lecture partly deals with the same topic as this thesis it can give relevant information. Studies. Enlargementfor EU bythe and Center EUexternal Group Visegrad organized action', A final way of gathering data is lecture: data of A finalthe theattendance of way gathering answer.a givejust notyes/no does interviewee the make surethat in to order Theimportant. otherwise beopenended or he questionswill interview relevant deems that information other and view of points own his with come to interviewee the to given be will There is typeknowledge aboutthe possible of questions toaskandabout space answers. Enough thesis. this casefor the not is This answers. find right the to be acquired hasto aspects several about information of a lot that and is known information little that assumes hand other the on interview unstructured An be relevant. to appears information other interview the during if way Part of the Central European University, Budapest. Lecture attended May 4 Although Hungary currently has the Visegrad-presidency, there is no interview with someone from Hungary as it 3.2. Further case selection 32 ‘ the echo of the new members - The - members new the of echo the th 2010 100 In the In 99 CEU eTD Collection 104 application of qualitative approaches, 103 be given. can interview 102 101 could also be called labeling. be called also could and happened pertranscript in This thetext. categorization based thenameinformation on make didfrom but piece Thenot herself, upa of interviewer text interview. category-name the information more synoptic. Theinformation was divided into several categories, existinga of information the After transcribing, be analyzed. hadto they transcribed, and held were interviews After the from these transcripts was categorized, in order to make the large amounts of interviewees about 2:Information Table for the topic of this thesis. relevant not were they because be used not would labels some was possible that It encrypting. or relevant from interview washighlighted the andgivenafinalname.is called This coding process were put together to get a better overview. After this a separation was made of the several topics several the madeof was separation After thisa overview. a better get to together were put Interview 5 Interview 4 Interview 3 Interview 2 Interview 1 interview Number Ibid. Field Morse and (1996) Principles of analysis.data 6 Chapter Morse in: and Field, The interviewee asked me not to tape the interview. Therefore only an approximation Allinterviews of took in place 2010 the duration of the interviewee Title of Policy officer PR Coordinator Policy officer Policy officer Policy officer 104 All important pieces of text of the same label, of all the interviews, the all of label, same the of text of pieces important All 103 3.3. If all the information was labeled, then the information that was that information the then labeled, was information the all If Cheltenham: Stanley Thornes Ltd., p. 108 Method ofdataanalysis Foreign Affairs Foreign of Ministry Slovak Visegrad Fund International Affairs Foreign Dutch Ministry of Benelux Union Secretariat General Affairs Foreign of Ministry Flemish Work place 33 April, 00:30:00 Bratislava April, 00:35:48 Bratislava April, 00:36:32 The Hague April, Brussels April, Brussels where When 101 and Nursing research: The 00:31:54 01:03:28 interview Length of 102 CEU eTD Collection 107 106 105 organizations took an interest in the topic of change. in climate aninterest and topic environment of the organizations took two the research why to possible itwas methods research three the of combination the becauseusing it results method oneand single makesitstrengthens morethe reliable. Based on than better is approach multi-method This Group. Visegrad the about a lecture attendance of the in underAffairs. Asmaller method, the grouped interviews, thesis this heading research of was Affairs, Dutchwere done, with people from the Benelux Union General Secretariat, Flemish Ministry of Foreign Ministry of 1970s the and 1980s,and informationrecent brochures, and newsletters others. Five interviews of Foreignand 2009 and some other relevant records, the documents of the BeneluxAffairs, Union were declarations joint ofyears of between were statements VisegradGroup 1999 documents the interviewed. The Visegrad were both organizations of people andanalyzed andseveral wereevaluated Several documents Fund and Slovakfind whichMinistry reasons, usedto were interviews analysis and Content was done. how research the made clear This chapter of Foreign as given in the theoretical framework, were valid and which were not. tree acoding of aid the with was done information the of categorization The codes. overlapping for possible werechecked categories number of increasecategories. tothe inin order label, one from from interviews. the information the on based are interpretations the and avoided is thereby statements misinterpreting from intervieweewhat the hadunderpin said,and were used. to results,the The quotes risk of derail didnot analyses Tomakenot. the in andsome surethat results camebackthe variables Ibid. Ibid. p. 108 Ibid. p. 108-109 107 3.4. 106 . Depending on the acquired information some of these Conclusion 34 105 Finally, after this categorization, the CEU eTD Collection Table 3: Results of content analysis of theVisegrad Group canbe with followingmade: results and the table the terms, of samewords counting these After coding the andmarking of and words the terms described in previous andthe chapter the will be given. After that an overall conclusion of these results will be formulated. Group Visegrad the interviews concerning and analysis content of the results the In thissection results of the interviews. In the end an overall conclusion of the results will be given. results of the research question will be provided, splitin the results of the content analysis and the The formulated. be will question research main the to answer an and begiven will analyses andcontent interviews of the results the in chapter three, this in chapter explained methods the to according and researched two in given chapter framework theoretical the Based on Chapter 4:The results 10 3 9 8 4 7 - 6 1 5 2 4 1 3 2 2 5 1 4 7 Cooperation - 2 1 - - - - 2 2 2 interest Common 4.1. Results oftheVisegradGroup 1 - - 6 8 6 - - 2 1 (change) Climate 4.1.1. Content analysis Content 35 4 3 - 20 20 22 11 14 13 25 institutions International ------2 - 1 Enlargement - - - 1 2 3 - - - 2 Global issue CEU eTD Collection was mostly was mostly finished. process streamlining this After accession EUrules. with the bein accordance to change climate and streamline environment hadmany concerning and accession the rules to they regulations countries European Union. Before tothe Group before four accession of Visegrad the written the word of the The absence their accession than after their accession. Reasons why the terms ‘ why terms the Reasons accession. their after than their accession numbers for ‘ reference for ‘ for reference documents, shows the same lines, with no presence of ‘ of nopresence with lines, same the shows documents, more often, being six, eight andin documents the years appear terms the three other the In yearsofabsence. two then are there six times. The results of the lastseven three documents. texts, theThe otherfirst relevant two documents give a result of one and two references per text and 108 term The in documents. three overall comemaximum upoften, with a fivefive in of times three document another and references but absent in the other statements. The term ‘ Theterm statements. in theother absent but to it in the first document and two references in the third. Also the term ‘ that the term When looking at the data of the joint statements, being documents one till seven,it becomes clear documents. The term The documents. four last in the one and two to document first the in seven from goes term this However, numbers, goes for the word document and a minimum of eleven in the fourth document. The same, apart from lower Europa, gateway to Europe: http://europa.eu/pol/enlarg/index_en.htm, accessed March 24 cooperation ‘international institutions’ climate 108 ‘enlargement’ ’ or ‘ Therefore the topic of enlargement probably was a bigger issue before ’ and ‘ ‘enlargement’ climate change’ ‘cooperation’ international institutions’international is not an issue in these documents, apart from from reference one apart an issueis in documents, these not ‘common interest’ can be easily explained. The first three documents were first documents three canbe easily The explained. comes up often, with a maximum of upoften, amaximum comes in thefirst with of 25 , which also appears in all the joint statements. joint the in all appears also which , climate , some results for ‘ 36 ’ or ‘ enlargement was present in the first three documents three first in the present was . climate change’ common interest’ ’ and ‘ global issue’ is absentin two out of global issue’ global issue’ th 2010 and ‘ and higher and , only , only one does not common CEU eTD Collection follow rules that are set up by those organizations oruse the funds created by them. either they that stated is in which UN, the and EU the mainly organizations, international other to many again references are be of all, can given. there First and sentences quotes interesting When stepping away fromofficials. government and scholars scientists, the many by seriously countedis taken and underestimated longer no actors) most is (by change climate of words and in increase thatthis importance topic ishaving infew lastthe years.Theimportance and severity focussing on the text as a whole, some March 24 109 112 EU) the with dealing quotes 111 110 ‘ word ‘ countries. institutionsand The importanceof VisegradGroup policiesthe these onthe of the institutions’ internationalother institutions is from clear quite numbers.the Theterm interest’ climate change’ European Commission, DG Climate Action: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/home_en.htm, accessed http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/home_en.htm, Action: Climate DG Commission, European Joint Statement Visegrad Group, Environmental Ministers, eleventh meeting, 2004 Ibid. These two quotes are not the only ones dealing with the UN and other international Joint Statement Visegradorganizations Group Environmental (also many Ministers, sixth meeting, 2001 - - - - - cooperation The Ministers - take note of the relevant initiatives within the EU and the UN system … climate protection and energy policy and realizing the need for acoordinated action. in… bearingfield 2007inCouncil inMarch European mindtheconclusions the of of national development plans Use of intheimplementation EU co-financing nationalof and environmental programmes Environment… EnvironmentProgramme …andthe Second Global Forum of of Ministers the the Recognising the importanceof conclusionsthe of… session …Unitedthe of Nations Development… and Environment the on Conference United of Nations follow-up the the and outcome with the In accordance th are (mainly) absent are unclear. The importance the Visegrad Group countries attach to attach countries Group Visegrad the importance The are unclear. absent are(mainly) 2010 scores the highest. This can be explained by interrelatedthe activities and economies became more present in the last three joint statements. This can refer to the to refer can This statements. joint three last in the present more became ’ can be related to thisinterrelation of the countries. The last term, ‘ 111 112 109 110 37 ‘international climate ’ or CEU eTD Collection 118 117 116 115 114 113 119 geographic closeness and theiridea of fourthe countries as one block: be the andislinked important seemsto idea also to of topics review.The a ‘sharedvision’ under the at aimed specifically more is theme second The in general. together work countries the why coordinationfor ‘need the and of countries the between their bond geographic the are themes jointrecurrent Other positions’. The first theme appears regularly and is used as a reason Their agreement on the importance of the topics also comes to the fore in several quotes: Guidelines on the Future Areas of Visegrad Cooperation, May 12 Joint Statement Visegrad Group, Environmental Ministers, fifteenth meeting, 2008 Joint Statement Visegrad Group, Environmental Ministers, fourteenth meeting, 2007 Ibid. JointStatement Visegrad Group, Environmental Ministers, sixth meeting, 2001 World Summit onSustainable Development Press release sixteenth meeting Environmental Ministers, Visegrad Group, 2009 Group, Visegrad Ministers, Environmental meeting sixteenth release Press ------The preparation of the WSSD the of The preparation economic similarity …, the interlinkage and harmonization between their national strategies for sustainable developmentis desirable… their between harmonization and interlinkage the …, similarity economic environmental,geographic sustainable Dueto and and to social closeness development. haveor theyfinalisingjust countries that already for are theiradopted national strategies the regional common views. common regional the in creating role abasic play Union;then, they European the to accession member states V4 the after especially important more have become They experiences. and information problem in the field of environment protection as well as exchange occasionthe to the workThe V4meetingsserve asaway out importantmost definite solution the to the to is crucial. change climate combat all levels at to scale inglobal action an immediate that they agreed change,and of issueof importance the the exchangedviewson climate The Ministers Consultations and co-operation on current issues of common interest negotiations on the EU level regulation … the within ongoing positions to the in coordinatingThe Ministersrelation agreedon as their well as level national at relations. international position in their and EU joint this promote to agree - Ministers The European Community for 2002-2012 relation… being toaware theShared vision of themid-term needbridging the East and the West withinfor this region. coordination underlinedThe Ministers importance the in of Visegrad countries’the traditional role review of theirof thejoint Sixthpositions Environmenton the priorities in Action Programme of the 115 119 113 in 2002 …as one of the priorities of the Visegrad Group 116 38 117 th 2004 114 118 CEU eTD Collection Visegrad Group as a ‘risk diversification asa‘riskeffort’. diversification Group Visegrad the sees scholar we havenot This but optimal’. that – cooperation regional best‘the called was also cooperation TheVisegrad socialisation’. and regional ofEuropeanization new actor countries. of the prepare EU-presidencies the to cooperation was andimportant effective for cooperation within window EU/Brussels’. continuing the Visegrad cooperation. arenas. The four countries international Union other and European the within Europe’ of Central voice the and ‘increase wanted a stronger position another one consultwith can which they through tool’, ‘communication itself of asakind sees within the EU and tried to reach this by 125 124 May 10th 2010 is in2016: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2007:001:0011:0012:EN:PDF; accessed 123 122 121 120 membersupporting states its further development’. neighbour countries. Inthis has respect,Group theVisegrad been called‘an advocacy of group support EU-candidacy for their to forimportant quest in four countries the as tool their an of support further candidates’ EU membership. obligation to and NATOaccession and security, 2004it starting intoa ‘political turned willandmoral main aim the EU moment this was Before EU-accession. after aim institution changed the the of itmade that all, clear First of in proved ways. several useful group Visegrad on the The lecture be better to communication the diversifying identity, policy foreign common a heardfinding are: isfacing Group at EU and other multilateral levels and moving towards a greater common Agnieszka Agnieszka Andras Deak, lecture Visegrad Group The Czech Republic had the presidency in 2009, Hungary and Poland will have the Tomas presidencyStrazay, Visegrad lecture Group in 2011. Slovakia Ibid. Elsa Tulmets, lecture Visegrad Group à ada, lecture Visegrad Group Visegrad lecture ada, 4.1.2. Lecture attendance and interviews and attendance Lecture 121 One scholar called the V4 cooperation ‘themost 39 124 The Eastern Partnership program is also seen 125 The new challenges that the Visegrad 120 Secondly, the Visegrad Group 123 They see themselves as ‘a 122 Another aim of the CEU eTD Collection 130 129 128 127 126 participation in EU programmes. inEU participation a role toplay’. is it fact that together are‘theV4has than as ablock. countries working four The stronger alone: is overand V4areactively the ininvolved issues suchaschanging and climate. environment from gets cooperation.the According one interviewee to time the for ‘justwaitingfor EU money’ topics the V4 cooperation is still seen as relevant and even necessary because of the benefits it European the Union international and other organizations. Although EUisthe involved in these andform lobby if more together countries can a stronger within position things they work realize andEnvironment issues changebelongrequire tothe climate that position. acommon four The neighbours. its with and countries four the between relations the improve to territorial boundaries, is a block that tries to bring its countries to the level of Western Europe and region. the within meaning a trademark One calledtheV4a‘mark’, climate. interviewees of the animportantcountriesreason why constitute andthey up the topicpicked environment of the position the of lobbying andthe common goals the that fore the itcame to During interviews the andclimate with beapplied environment topic, tothem.the they can Ibid. Ibid. Interview 5 Tomas Strazay, Visegrad lecture Group Elsa Tulmets, lecture Visegrad Group 128 According to him According because friendship to historical VisegradGroup, the ties, of ties and 127 Although these results are dealing with the Visegrad in general, not specifically in Although with general,not these results are dealing Visegrad the 126 The Group has become more important, mainly due to the 40 129 130 CEU eTD Collection 135 134 133 132 131 push through’. EU’.The V4arealobbyserves fundingthe thatwecan mutual ‘purposes forceof that priorities West with the Eastin order to not allow ‘another sort of Iron Curtain to be built on the border of platform. a as seen be should it him to According goal’. primary a ‘itis not that states meetings’, but of concrete is ‘part topic the interviewee agreesthat Another very important contributors towhy importantvery contributors in engage the topicand of they change.environment climate are goals of common existence the and lobby position arethat the interviews of the The results in the topic. interest more led to and applicants’ to grantees, our to ‘message asa served actions these interviewee have itsHungarian to the a‘green presidency Visegrad’ aspartof According agenda. to Fund’ into the strategic the of Visegrad and change‘madeitcaused the Climate priorities change. mainly neighbouring its on countries and onglobal issues such as environmentand climate wentfrom Visegrad beingan Group focused itself focused an to organization on organization countriesthe it, disbanding or chosecooperation Visegrad the with tocontinuing either between give a choice making the V4 a new goal, When become unnecessary. hada ‘toledthat treaty EU to the to four countries the of The accession catch a new breath, try to turn a page’. changing since 2005: ‘ithas become much more visible andmuch stronger too’. ‘itthat is below any recognition of acknowledgesanyone’. Healso however thatthis situation is important V4arenot meaning thatthe withinblock that as anyway’, Hegoes far tosay EU. the Ibid. Ibid. Ibid. Ibid. Interview 4 132 The interviewee however says that ‘it is not a power block, it is not a powerful 135 41 131 The V4 tries to bridge the 133 134 The CEU eTD Collection Table 4: Results of content analysis of the Benelux Union The results of the content analysis of the documents of the Benelux Union are as follows: to more interest from outside actors, and the interviewees agree that it is a rising topic. leading Fund, Visegrad the of made priorities into the it It in it documents. the to reference little remains thatenvironment and change climate arebecomingmore visible although topics, is there important topic, others disagree and say that itis not one of their primary goals. The fact however isit claim an that andactors sources some Although is however unclear. by V4 are handled the that topics other to incomparison of topics the The importance areas. these on working together if start they more realize can they that and individually be solely handled cannot topics these that interviewees constitute it the analysis in fore content as the comethe to really not did common goals importance of the an important reason. The governments forAlthough isthem.believe very important lead position lobby to the that of interviewees the of thestatements the with fourcombination in countriesdocuments, the in UN the and EU the to references many The realize will be given. After that an overall conclusion of these results will be formulated. Union Benelux the analysis concerning interviews and of content results the the In this section 8 20 7 34 6 27 5 104 4 18 3 2 2 - 1 7 Cooperation - - - 3 1 - - - interest Common 4.2. The resultsof theBenelux Union 1 4 1 2 1 - - - (change) Climate 4.2.1. Content analysis Content 42 15 14 1 15 6 - - 14 institutions International 1 1 ------Enlargement 3 ------Global issue CEU eTD Collection Luxembourg.importantly Andmost countrieswerefoundingthe members of EUand the and Netherlands the Belgium, members, three own its between affairs the on focuses this is a European Union affair.realizing that the Benelux Union has no voice when deciding about possibleIt EU-enlargements,also when as explained be can This does Union. Benelux the to notinterest no of be to appears border Enlargement any of the new EU member V4. foras high the as not high, are although international other organizations to references states and here also the Group like with Visegrad the inthe case case.Just the not ishowever higher. This be expected that the numbers for numbers the that be expected itcould of is years alotattention, and last few given the for isahot topic change climate fact that numbers for no concern of the BeneluxThe absence Union of when these documents were drafted.and The lack of persuasivedocuments, in more totwice, recent the referred with no results for the second document, the numbers for numbers the seconddocument, for the noresults with numberis is 25.Thenumbers themajority around 104 and for topics of The documents. three firstis inthe however absent It four references. time andone references time two one one reference, from times rangingthree documents, more recent times inthe of topic them. The to reference one even not or is one there documents in other highest, the as fifteen times two with often, them to refer documents Some of categories in the numbers high the are is prominent that thing first the numbers these at looking When global issue common interest climate change cooperation only only once. climate change , and enlargement in the more recent documents is difficult to explain. Based on the international institutions international in change makesfirst as sense was documents three climate the climate change and global issueglobal 43 enlargement in these recent documents would have been have would documents recent inthese . Apart from the first three documents, from three first the . Apart are negligible. climate (change) also twice in the last two documents cooperation international institutions Common interest are high. The highest The high. are is mentioned a few alternate. is only CEU eTD Collection implemented in the documents too: documents in the implemented isclearly issues environmental and change other climate of topics of the The importance The lobby position is also an important topic, based on statements such as: and clearly importance shows of the forpresent this topic the organization. of Benelux the an‘experimental Union a‘model as ofinspiration’garden’ or and source is and The documentsof Benelux Union the quotes sentences. Thetopic someinteresting give also explainoften used to makecertain choices. organizations why 139 138 137 136 there are hardly hardly to are any there references wereneverisit in process themselves. Finally, surprisingtherefore that actors enlargement the Information brochure Benelux Union, p. 26-27 p. Union, Benelux brochure Information NewsletterBenelux Union, p. 8 p.7 Union, Benelux Newsletter the from are quotes three These The first three quotes are from the information brochure Benelux Union, p. 9 ------highly evolved society highly society requiresalso attention. evolved isis takenof thusvery generations, here. coming the Social cohesion within relevant this account where development, sustainable for limited Thedemand area. within a relatively The Benelux has a high population concentration, forums. international a within strong positions comparable and common adopt to countries economy andIn intensetheGerman) or France as votes many as just have they trafficBenelux weight within (together greater a largerEU themembers The Benelux gives cooperation there is a possibility for cross-fertilisation,Benelux. the frameworkbroad is is of and gravity in center possible European too wherethe where cooperations plenty cross-border of also Thereare focus. inthe comes hereby Benelux but alsonewtest area. in initiatives first confined a geographically for alsomember 27 givesstates, to opportunity The the European the expansion Union of to the countries European andCentral Scandinavian amongst the those BeneluxThe Benelux is a model and source of inspiration for other regional garden is cooperations, EU’sexperimental the The Benelux such as initiatives. the newthat so cooperation her in Benelux regions Belgian the involves also is Benelux-parliament The the meeting point of several governments so as to launch together new 138 137 common interest 44 or global issues The pioneer function of the of function pioneer The , as these are terms that are 136 139 CEU eTD Collection 144 se. per countries Benelux the for valid also is 143 information the Rhine-Westphalia, of North area 142 141 140 tasks didthat nothave any clear linein them’ to) anhad focused avariety very went union ideaof taken that (iton of a customs organization as end butfrom started evolved union a a customs upasanuncleargrouping to tasks: of different cohesion. It basedterritorial on toanapproach from approach economic an cooperation, evolved economic initial the purely after Union, Economic Benelux the interviewees the to According Nations havebeNations declared2010to international yearthe biodiversity’. of United ‘The topic: the to gives Union Benelux the importance the on influence an have can UN references tothe EU in general, there is also areference to the United Nations that shows that the from many Finally, apart in documents. the become apparent more howeverthey sentences analysis. earlier on Whencomplete andfocussing part of precise content the the phrases skipping beThis surprisingcan called as not themselves phrases the anyhigh show numbers did in the Interview 3 Ibid., p. 19 Ibid., p. 14. Although this text was in reference to joined cooperation of the Benelux Ibid., p. countries21 and the German NewsletterBenelux Union, p. 6 - - - working together when doing research. doing when together working distances. large Thirdly,(very) over transported gets often emissions the of majority the a because lot can be the learnedIn second placebe tightened. theto Beneluxhave also countriesthat and yet met (…) not ‘export’ are that a lot of norms fromair pollutionEuropean strict to each other each other are there place first the In reasons. for different fore the to comes alignment and exchange and forces isAirbe and quality information avery will continue to present-day Good ... problem challenges… can common of variety a know areas be surrounding and joined,Benelux The forfor practicalsolutions examplefind to problemsbefore then withmore thewant implementation Luxembourg and of cross-borderby Netherlands the lawsBelgium, and regulations. 4.2.2. Interviews of the Benelux Union Benelux the of Interviews 142 144 45 In the seventies the governments of the three the of governments the seventies the In 143 141 140 CEU eTD Collection 148 147 146 145 execution of the mutual program. As far as the negotiations were concerned, that was acase that concerned, negotiations were As farasthe mutual program. of the execution give support on request fromThe thenew governments,treaty was ‘ but not about the contents. Wecountries if they havewould said ‘that that cooperation, isnecessary not anymore’. are here for the continued with the Benelux Union. It wouldEU. They havelong a tradition of cooperationalso and Ithink that thatis one undermine of the reasons why they the diplomatic positionthe members of founding of the they arethree because hasstatus acertain Benelux still the that of the three ‘corny image’: ‘I think that the Benelux has a corny image within the countries. However, I think havea usedto Benelux the interviewees, ofthe one to According in organization. the interested became more people as of organization, onthestatus effects had positive This decision detailed, concrete provisions, was abolished and new multi-year programs came intoexistence. project organization,Welast thing.’ did the it change same,makingthe newsomething with and or charge [ourselves] outof cooperation. the working with expired‘the originaldo: (…) either treaty wecouldtreaty the and prolong keepeverything multi-year decidewhat to on hadto near governments thethree was coming oldthe treaty When of end the programs. The old cooperation’ between cohesion (…) Benelux cooperation and European treaty,strong ‘a is: still and was There orientation. anew cooperation the give to consisting decided countries of many Interview 2 Interview 2 Interview 3 Interview 1 a process between the governments’ the between a process 146 The governments have the intention to make the Benelux more of a of more Benelux the make to intention the have governments The 46 : ‘We as the General Secretariat can Secretariat General ‘We asthe : 145 148 147 CEU eTD Collection 156 155 154 153 152 151 150 149 countries. other for for arationale toexist. countries’. European other for the also role inspiring an (…) role interesting an plays government Benelux the ‘there EU: the for value content analysis, was the fact that they see the Benelux as a ‘European laboratory’, having adding from the appeared also what in and came fore the interviews, the to that interesting point Another havedid not alink in with thecustoms economy the union particular. or several activities into cooperation whilstthe gettingthey ledto topics couldthis touch upon, and topics’ certain for committees setup special to space enough in treaty this ‘there (was) because: seventies was for becameissue Beneluxin the the an protection why The environmental reason you will follow what they do and also put it on the agenda’. todothis. is interest less there administration it’. propagate they Withinseveral they to through channels care about the want that between administration andpolitics. Within ‘climate is politics topic important currently that an (…)’. governments the between Flemish government. Flemish Interview 2 Ibid. Ibid. Interview 1 Interview 2 Interview 2 Interview 2 Ibid. 153 The1958 maketreaty notdid ruleswhich strict about topics theBenelux cooperation 155 151 The interviewees also stated that the Benelux Union is constantly looking is Benelux constantly Union that the alsostated Theinterviewees 156 It is also on the international agenda: ‘if you want to be a part of them of part be a to want you ‘if agenda: international the on is also It 149 One that adivisioncommented interviewee bemade should 154 The Benelux also serves as a framework of reference 47 150 Climate is a topic that is very ‘hot’ in the 152 CEU eTD Collection 161 160 159 158 157 out what the added value is of a Benelux approach within the European framework. what within European the addedvalueis the out approach a Benelux of interviewees, the topic of climatethe product of bilateral isdiscussions in with the Beneluxan countries.exploration According to one of the phase. changeis has and newitem a very agendaandbeen The topic climate of Benelux the on They are in the process of finding where helpis needed’ know they value, added Benelux the to tend governments] Benelux [the ‘they affairs: Benelux the into include climate to decided governments three know whythe not does General Secretariat leads to a stronger lobby-position. is important’. valueas Italy, And that alsocountries. asFrance, bigEuropean the SotheBeneluxlet basishasthesame voice threetheir countries to the beheardwithin Europe. the Benelux countries within the EU is also a reason for the new treaty: ‘it is not always internationallarger othereasy or individually by position organizations. The European Union of the or for with problem overall by changethe is either problem.countries climate addressed the This problems countries three thatthe not focused aredealingwith, is onconcrete more organization itBasedin quote can besaid emphasis onclimatechange onthis the Benelux the that Union themselves’. countries three the between is contact case there that In Secretariat. Benelux the by supported is hardly ever butthat countries three the between is analliance there be that itcan Beneluxthe hasmorevalue problems. when Union with dealing dossiers cross-border With other the terrain of climate… I do not think they are very interestedministries. in an extra parallelI do not knowcircuit. if I thinkthere is a lot of interest, to give the Benelux Union a bigger role on Interview 2 Interview 1 Interview 2 Ibid. Interview 1 158 Another interviewee commented that ‘it depends on the interest of the interest of ‘itthe on depends that commented interviewee Another 161 48 160 Cooperation 157 The 159 CEU eTD Collection of cannow beof results given. the combination with the results from the interviews and the results of the lecture overall conclusions and deal BeneluxGroup to topic Union started andenvironment change. of the with In climate theVisegrad as morewhy a reason more probable or valid used arealso are more often that terms wordsand the indicatethat and This can words than other terms. used in analyzed documents the more important or more are and that terms some are words there that it clear has become method analysis via content inthis the paper used By theresearch question analyzing theoretical chapter. in the explained reasons possible the on based conclusion, overall an give to is time it given, been have organizations two ofthe methods research two of results the all separate the Now the topic of the of topic changecanhaveanaddedclimate valuebyBeneluxcooperation. topicthe inin find isstill threegovernments the exploration wantto The phase. way out which however that emphasized of lobby interviewees forthe organization. One the a stronger position projects that go further than the initial European rules and regulations. By this they want to create and plans with experiment can they which in laboratory a as Benelux the see governments The has made been level. onabilateral its Thedecision topic makes change of appearance. climate economic union. This way committeesthe for projects environment that had no connection to the initial goals of a customs union and came intounder the Benelux the new plans.treaty In theof projects plansmoreplans concrete 1970, ishasevolvedfrom very intosince the unstructured 2008.new treaty Due tothe the old treatyAlthough topicthe of environmentthe and environmental isprotection apart of Benelux the there was the possibility to set up special 4.3. The overall conclusion of theresults 49 CEU eTD Collection decided to continuedecided to with cooperation the and to give this cooperation a newshape. Durability treaty, expired almost an facedwith when Union, Benelux The minor reason. a is still itreasons organization is a possible reason. Although this topic is also not one of the most important mention didnot The Finally, Visegrad Group topicthe the of asareason. preservation the topic, and the topic isconsidered be importance,of high to Benelux the should acttoo. Union with as manyconcernthemselves interviewsthis Benelux Union, stating that of organizations the comeAlthough it often very camein not is did It this theresults up up aminor reason. the during three. reason is possible issue the of inthe salience increase The information. interesting this Group give analyses thecontent nor interviews neither the concern as Visegrad nobegreat of to appears the For territories. their on results actual with come to committed are they involved in doesshow getthat thistopic to The fact they of decided that development. stages initial inthe is still topic this as change climate for however less environment, of topic the for has no concrete rules for or the BU can solve within the three countries. This is definitely the case Union as they profile themselves as a laboratory of the EU and deal with some topics that the EU forvalid Benelux the This isseenasa reason pursue certain policies. is to awish second reason improveto their vis-à-vis position the Union European internationaland other organizations. The Beneluxthe starteddealingandclimate change.organizationsUnion with aim environment Both vehicle. important hasvery been tobe This for shown both a Visegradthe why and reason Group lobbying a isfirstas organization reason the consequences.First The logic possible of of all the Table 5: Results content analysis combined and interviews analysis 5:Results content Table Value of Value organization the of International identity organization of the Preservation Increase Relevant in the salience of certain policies the pursue Wish to issue Lobbying vehicle Not relevant Very relevant Relevant Very relevant Very relevant Benelux Union 50 Not relevant Very relevant Relevant Not relevant Very relevant Not relevant Visegrad Group CEU eTD Collection 162 four national The governments. people workingfor institutionsthe had nosay in matter. the the between level bilateral a on made been also therefore has decision their and Fund, Visegrad of BUthe hadnoinputin The matter. this Visegrad Group is notinstitutionalized, apartfrom the governments. federal and national the between and level abilateral on decision Benelux was of Union As the earlier, the in and topic treaty. the emphasized wanted the valuedthem organizations for the working the people because treaties into the change climate implement intervieweelecture. environmentand mentioned they No decided to that interviews or the or analysis content the in either appeared not has topic This organization. the of value part of the overall reason are change climate and environment of topics The organization. their of existence for the reason why they want their cooperation as important andsee an these comparisons andgeographical oldterritory.emphasize They ties to continue. Theinternational identity. All countries ofboth the organizations see themselvesas of part a specificother reason is the of reason all the of First reasons. possible two of consists appropriateness logic of The The Visegrad Groupalso decided tocontinue with the cooperation andup new set goalsfor itself. became one of the three pillars and environment and climate change formed part of this pillar. The The several governments within Belgium 51 162 The General Secretariat TheGeneral CEU eTD Collection things that the EU cannot. However,thetopic EUcannot. climate changethe thingsis of in that stages. developing still the Benelux Union wantsUnion indicationsas only, no havebeen there Visegradhad thatthe Group these The desires. to be a laboratory Benelux the for reason valid is a policies certain pursue to wish The individually. topic in the or experimental garden byformingthat is a powerblock theirlobby much than position engagestronger they to when try of realize and thetopic important very a as it see they EU because is change andclimate and environment with tries to reach Themost reasons why both important decidedtogetinvolved same importance. organizations all not wereof the six itclearwas madereasons these that chapter previous the In organization. value the identity of and international organization, the of preservation issue, salience of the environmentand climate change: lobbying vehicle,wish pursue certainto policies, increase in the possible engage made with of reasonsorganizations decision why to the topics the concrete the consistingframework, of logicthe of consequences and the logic of ledappropriateness, tosix This wascreated. framework change, atheoretical andclimate theenvironment concerning doAfter Benelux contextualizing topicandexplainingwhatthe Union the and VisegradGroup isit now possible give to the final conclusion about researchthe question: both organizations, severalpeople of with lecture andinterviews attendance many of documents, analyses content on Based question. research main the to given been has answer an thesis this In The Conclusion Why do theBeneluxUnion and the Visegrad Groupwith persist theitemof environmental policy and climatechange even though the EU is quite active inthispolicy field? 52 CEU eTD Collection strongest reasons, but also the wish to preserve the organization and trying to increase the number lobbypursue certain Beneluxthe for position andto astronger Union policies arethe their wish For extent. same the to them of four all not although made, it decision the made Union Benelux All fourwhy the werereasons reasons hypothesis thesis. in important this mostchange is the and engage with decidedenvironment of climate topic the to Group Union Visegrad and the Benelux the why best the explains consequences of logic the that hypothesis The other. the than valid be more to said be can hypothesis one reasons, valid are there logics both from Although is reason isimportant. themostorthatlogic consequences important more of appropriateness logic of either the arethat of thesis this in theintroduction are phrased that hypotheses The two only therefore of isappropriateness two reasons the one verified. not institutionalized, asbeing Group, The Visegrad support. giving administrative General level with the Secretariat this story. deal The decision to andwith environment climate change wasmade on a bilateral employees of the Benelux Union General Secretariat, it is clear that they do notplay a role within meaningin the actors organizations, the the wishesof on the As focuses a role. thisreason alsoplay not does organization the of value the given, overlap geographical old and ties to references does not andmany important is seenas countries the identity of international Whilst contradictory. the seemore are appropriateness logic of the of reasons two The per organization. differing and extent this all same not the them to importance,of although of are reason therefore of logic consequences within the Allfourpreserveby and reasons projects. newgoals their wantcreatingown to organization as important. comefor hand Both groups ontheother Visegraddidnot the topic It itself. Group. upasa result Union toincreasetries the number in of fora which climate change is discussedby taking upthe WithinThe Benelux minor consequences logic belongingare reasons reasons. the to The other of two the logic of 53 CEU eTD Collection than the EU set up, the V4 has other goals. which they can focusitems on addressed thatarenot by more on EUor specificthe regulations is priority main a Their focuspriorities. other has and onhome to theircloser stays V4 the topic, the immediatewith engage (non-EU) neighbours.concerningand environment change climate and makesureas many that people as possible WhilstBenelux the BU sees itself Group, Unionas a laboratory this and Visegrad for the relevant not were that theory consequences logic of the within inreasons two the lack the of Visegradrelevance at Whenlooking improvements. concrete plansor action of concrete lead not to anddo talking of level the on more stay however meetings These canMinisters. Prime the or Ministers Group. individual be explained Whilst political and of side The juridical things. ofthemeetings countries V4 haveregular of either by referring the of VisegradJustice, the Grouponly deal theVisegrad not Fund,which knows does with the BU towants the Benelux Union is highlydifferences institutionalized, with its own General ParliamentandSecretariat, Court to improvethe Whilst differences. striking some there are is different, radically organizations shape of the between the thethe situationVisegrad Group. Apart and Union Benelux the between differences concrete of anumber are there that alsoshow Group from the fact that the Visegrad and Union Benelux BU between the sixreasons the of validity between the The differences is significantly older than the V4 and the the most convincing logic, in comparison to the logic of consequences. Although this reason is a very strong reason, it still identity. does not make international the of logic reason of the appropriatenessbeing this be relevant, to said was reasons two of out one lobby preserveposition and their the organization. to wish Of logicthe of appropriateness only of these reasons only However, two arerelevant. are place changetake climate about discussions where of platforms valid when looking at the Visegrad Group: their wish to have a stronger 54 CEU eTD Collection countries. Thisis worthy of furtherinvestigation. were differently structured, regional other organizations European whilst the weremembersof Union, countries participating it might be possibleAlthough to apply the choose organizations. other organizations, two or same tothe topic reasons another the apply and theoriesthe to otherchoice up is take it to change. However, alsopossible andclimate with environment themselves engage groups of for organizationsdecidedto two possiblethe why reasons logicsidentifiedsix concrete two and the two at looked thethesis focus change. Within this and climate topic,and environment specific one organizations specific Visegrad Group, and BeneluxUnion the the focused organizations, This research ontwo in this thesis was made because all the 55 CEU eTD Collection 165 164 163 Appendix 1: Involvementofthe three organizations withtopic Appendices Union European Group Visegrad Union Benelux Institution 2008Environmental Policy Review, European Commission, DG Environment http://www.Visegradgroup.eu/main.php?folderID=941&articleID=3937&ctag=articlelist&iid=1 Benelux Jaarplan 2010 & Gemeenschappelijk werkprogramma 2009-2012, Secretariaat-Generaal Benelux 165 163 164 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. risks: Opportunities for co-operation in fieldthe of environmental protection and Greenhouse Gases) Greenhouse Air emissions, Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Community, Fluorinated Climate change trading, (emissions Change European Climate Programme, diplomacy) Green relations, International Agreements, Environmental Multilateral (WSSD, issues International sized and standardization, environment, greening the of public procurement) medium- and Small Forum, Retail installations, industrial from Pollution label, Eco-Management and Audit Scheme, Integrated Product Policy, Industry and technology (Environmental Technologies Action Plan, Eco- Health Partners), Mediterranean Eastern Europe, Russia and other NIS, Danube and Black sea, Enlargement andneighbouring countries(enlargement, financing, Sough- taxes) onenvironmental database pollution, chemical accidents), Environmental economics (published studies, Civil protection and environmental accidents (civilprotection,marine Chemicals Biotechnology Air market labour the on economy initiatives ‘green about jobs’, qualitative andquantitative impact of a green Information exchange concerning climate and employment: studies and environment and climate of the Belgian EU-presidency Information exchange and alignmentof viewpoints concerning agenda the emissions) Exchange ofinformation environmental about measures (reducing CO2- Environmental protection andclimate change near the common borders near common the inco-operation preparing andcreation landscapeof protected in regions transfrontier movement of waste, creation of a system for monitoring and exchange of informationco-ordination in construction of for equipment wasterecycling, on toboundary related questions andflood prevention,waters energy, nuclear issues concerning safety sustainableand development environment other issues,related exchange ofinformation long-term about strategies and for projects 56 CEU eTD Collection Appendix 2: documents Visegrad Group Visegrad documents 2: Appendix 10 Press Press release: the 16 10 Guidelines of the Future Areas of Visegrad Cooperation (Kromeriz, 9 12 Contents of Visegrad Cooperation approved by the Prime Ministers’ Summit 8 Bratislava Joint Statement of 7 the 16 Joint Statement of 6 the 15 Joint Statement of 5 the 14 Joint Statement of 4 the 13 Joint Statement of 3 the 11 Joint Statement of the Tenth Meeting of Ministers of 2 the Environment of Visegrad Group Joint Statement – Sixth Meeting of Ministers of Environment of the Visegrad 1 Group States, States, Cracow, Poland, July 9-10 2009 Countries, 24-25May Czech2007, Prague, Republic Countries, 4-5 May 2006, Kosice, Slovakia on on 14 Countries, Cejkovice, CzechRepublic (2-3October2003) conservation, Czech Olomouc Republic (August30-31,2001) infieldcountries nature on environmental co-operation theprotection and of Countries, July 10 countries,Hungary Budapest, 18-19 September 2008 Countries, Hungary Siofok, (20-21 May 2004) Documents usedfor the contentanalysis of the VisegradGroup th May 1999 th 2009,Cracow th Meeting of the Environment Ministers of Ministers of Environment VisegradGroup the of Meetingthe th th th th th Meeting of MeetingMinisters Group Environmentthe of of Visegrad the MeetingMinisters Group Environmentthe of of Visegrad the MeetingMinisters Group Environmentthe of of Visegrad the Meeting of Meeting Ministers of of Environmentof Visegradthe Group Meeting Ministers of of Environmentof Visegradthe Group 57 May 2004) CEU eTD Collection 168 167 166 Appendix 3: documents Benelux Union Benelux documents 3: Appendix 8. Benelux Benelux newsletter NL March 2010/1 8. Annual plan 7. 2010 Common work program 6. 2009-2012 Information brochure ‘Benelux – active and timely’ (September 5. 2009) The Treaty Revising The Treaty Establishing the Benelux Economic Union Signed 4. on 3 de la et en de des nature de matiere Benelux paysages conservation protection Convention 3. Decision du comite de ministres du 28 aout 1980 instituant une commission speciale pour 2. Decisions de la troisieme conference intergouvernementale Benelux tenue a Bruxelles 1. les http://www.benelux.be/pdf/pdf_nl/sg/sg_JaarplanWerkprogramma2010.pdf, accessed: February 18 Ibid. http://www.benelux.be/pdf/pdf_en/act/20080617_nieuwVerdrag_en.pdf, accessed: February 18 February February 1958 – signee a Bruxelles le 8 juin 1982avec expose des motifs commun l’environnement 20 et21octobre 1975au Palais D’Egmont Documents used for the content analysis of the Benelux Union analysis oftheBenelux content usedfor the Documents 166 168 167 58 th 2010 th 2010 CEU eTD Collection Bibliography x x x x x x x x x x Bara and Pennington (2009) Bara andPennington Baltic Assembly: http://www.baltasam.org/?CatID=26, accessed: February 6 opzetten enuitvoerenvanonderzoek (2001) Baarda and DeGoede November 2002, via:http://ssrn.com/abstract_id=372280, accessed: May 25 Series, Papers Working Research Faculty University, Harvard Government, School of and Boundaries:LinkingResearch, Assessment andDecisionMaking (2002) Jäger and Eckley Dickson, Alcock, Cash, Clark, waarom Van den Bos andWegter (2009) accessed:April 2010 15th organization.org/Information/Pages/testt.aspx, http://www.bsec- Cooperation: Economic Sea Black van de Benelux Secretariaat-Generaal NL,March 2010/1, newsletter, Benelux http://www.benelux.be/nl/home_intro.asp from: come Union werkprogramma)Secretariaat-Generaal of 2009-2012, Alldocuments Benelux. Benelux Benelux Yearplan 2010 and common workprogram (Jaarplan 2010 & Gemeenschappelijk February 18 Benelux Union: http://www.benelux.be/pdf/pdf_nl/act/20080617_nieuwVerdrag_nl.pdf, Benelux Union: February http://www.benelux.be/nl/bnl/bnl_intro.asp, 6 Angeles, London:Sage , Koninklijke De Swart, Den Haag th 2010 Comparative Politics Democratic –Explaining Systems Basisboek Methoden en Technieken – Handleiding voor het en Technieken–Handleidingvoor Basisboek Methoden Europa, wat hebikeraan? –Wat deEUconcreet doet en , Stenfert Kroese Groningen, third, revised edition 59 Salience, Credibility, Legitimacy , JohnF. Kennedy th 2010 th th 2010 2010 , Los CEU eTD Collection x x x x x x x x x x Institutions, Parties, andGovernments (2006) Laver, Mair Gallagher, 24 March accessed Europe: http://europa.eu/pol/enlarg/index_en.htm, gateway to Europa, 24 accessedMarch http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/home_en.htm, European 2008 Environmental Policy Review, European Commission, DGEnvironment (2004) Union European theirthe countries after accession to RepublicPoland and of SlovakRepublic the on cooperation of VisegradGroup the the of Hungary, Republic the Republic, Czech of the Ministers Prime of Declaration l’environnement, Benelux Union Decision du comite deministres du 28 aout1980 instituantune commission pour speciale 20 et21 octobre 1975au Palais Benelux D’Egmont, Union Decisions de la troisieme conference intergouvernementale Benelux tenue a Bruxelles les – signee a Bruxelles le 8 juin 1982avec expose des motifs commun, Benelux Union Convention Benelux matiereen de laconservation de protectionde natureet des paysages &iid=1, accessed:February 2010 18th http://www.Visegradgroup.eu/main.php?folderID=941&articleID=3937&ctag=articlelist on 14 Contents of Visegrad Cooperation by approved the Prime Ministers’ Bratislava Summit accessed: April 2010 24th Commission,Comite NieuweBenelux:http://www.benelux2010.com/nl/data/brochureNL.htm, DG Climate Action: th 2010 th May 1999,via: May Representative Government Europe: inModern , McGraw – Hill,fourth, international edition 60 th 2010 CEU eTD Collection x x x x x x x x x x Countries, Cejkovice, CzechRepublic (2-3October2003) Joint Statement of the Tenth Meeting of Ministers of the Environment of Visegrad Group from:http://www.Visegradgroup.eu/main.php?folderID=939, accessed March 23th 2010 2001). All30-31, CzechRepublic come conservation, joint(August Olomouc statements countries co-operation in fieldon the of environmental protection and nature JointStatement– Sixth Meeting of Ministers of of VisegradEnvironmentthe Group as actors European policy offices Huysseune andJans (2008), April htm, accessed: 24 http://www.mfa.gov.hu/kum/en/bal/foreign_policy/V4_presidency/visegrad_cooperation. Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.arena.uio.no/publications/wp04_9.pdf, p.2, accessed: February 19 appropriateness in: March Herrmann, Risse(2009) Brewer(2004), and and Olsen Methods, Spring 2009 Symposium: andBraumoeller, Herrera Cambridge University Press Hasenclever,and Rittberger Mayer (1997), Guidelines of Areas Future the of Visegrad Cooperation (12 edition second Greenwood (2007) Greenwood change Goldstein andKeohane (1993), , Ithaca: Cornell University Press , ARENAWorkingPapers WP 04/09,via: Interest representation Union intheEuropean th 2010 Brussels as a the capitalofEurope oftheregions? Regional Ideas and foreign policy: beliefs,institutionsand Ideas and political foreign , Brussels Studies, e-journal,issue 16,25February 2008, 61 Discourse andContentDiscourse Analysis Theories ofinternationalregimes May 2004) , Palgrave Macmillan, The logic of The logic , Qualitative , New York: , New th 2010 CEU eTD Collection x x x x x x x x x x Wilds of Strategic Management Wilds of Mintzberg, Ahlstrand and Lampel (1998) 19 04/09, via:http://www.arena.uio.no/publications/wp04_9.pdf, p.2,accessed:February (2009) March andOlsen 2010 2 June accessed: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/environment/pdf/management_plan_2010.pdf, via:DG Environment: ManagementPlan 2010 , Van der Knaap and Hilterman in Van andder Knaap Hilterman Ziele inderEU-Ratsprasidentschaft Karlas, Koran and (2008) Tulmets States, Cracow, Poland, July 9-10 2009 Joint Statement of the 16 Hungary countries, Budapest, 2008 18-19 September Joint Statement of the 15 Countries, 24-25May Czech2007, Prague, Republic Joint Statement of the 14 Countries, 4-5 May 2006, Kosice, Slovakia Joint Statement of the 13 Countries, Hungary Siofok, (20-21 May 2004) Joint Statement of the 11 th 2010 th th th th th Meeting of of Meeting Environmentthe Ministers of Visegradthe Group of Meeting Environmentthe Ministers of Visegradthe Group of Meeting Environmentthe Ministers of Visegradthe Group The logic of appropriateness The logicof Meeting of of Meetingof of Ministers Environment VisegradGroup the of Meetingof of Ministers Environment VisegradGroup the , Free Press, NY ‘Bestuurskunde’ Prag, Visegrad-Gruppe die unddieEU–Tschechiens , Osteuropa, 58,7/2008, p.153-163 62 StrategySafari– A Guided TourThroughthe , 1997, volume 6, nr. 6 , ARENA Working Papers WP nd CEU eTD Collection x x x x x x x x x x van het nationale EU-lidmaatschapvoorsubnationale overhedenvan hetnationale De Rooij (2003) Countries, July 10 16 the release: Press 9AD6968B9E48/0/V4Programeng0605.pdf, February 2010 16th http://www.mfa.gov.hu/NR/rdonlyres/FD5D5C9A-C7AD-488C-9CEF- –July June 2011: Group 2010 – Program Presidency Visegrad the Hungarian the of of 2010 http://www.pvv.nl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2288, January 30 Partij de van Vrijheid: accessed May 2010 10th lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2007:001:0011:0012:EN:PDF; http://eur- Union, European the of Journal Official Nordic Council:http://www.norden.org/en/about-nordic-co-operation, February 6 the EuropeanUnion Nielsen and (1998) Salk Neuendorf Neuendorf (2002) Coutinho, Bussum, second, completely revised edition openbaar bestuur en zijnomgeving innationaalen internationaalperspectief Tuurenhout(red.) (2003) Neelen, Rutgers, Thornes Ltd. Nursing approaches, research:Theapplicationofqualitative Morse Morse and Field (1996) Nederlandse gemeenten en provincies in de Europese Unie–gevolgen indeEuropese enprovincies Nederlandse gemeenten th The Content Analysis Guidebook 2009, Cracow 2009, , European Sociological Review, vol. 14, No. 3 th Meeting of Meeting Environmentthe of Ministers of Visegradthe Group The EcologyofCollective Action andRegionalRepresentation in Principles of data analysisPrinciples of 63 De bestuurlijke –Het kaartvanNederland , Sage Publications, Sage . Chapter 6 in: Morse and Field, and in: Morse 6 Chapter . , Kluwer, Deventer Cheltenham: Stanley , Uitgeverij th 2010 th CEU eTD Collection x x x x x x x x 2010 January 30 http://www.Visegradgroup.eu/main.php?folderID=858, Visegrad Group: 23 April accessed: http://www.europeum.org/doc/arch_eur/EPF_future_of_Visegrad.pdf, Visegrad Group: Jan Urban,via: quote, http://www.radio.cz/en/article/32172, accessed:April 24th 2010 February 18 accessed: http://www.benelux.be/pdf/pdf_en/act/20080617_nieuwVerdrag_en.pdf, February via: Union 1958, Benelux (2008), The Treaty Revising The Treaty theBeneluxEstablishing Economic Union on Signed 3 W.W. Norton & Company, NY (2002)Policy Stone – Paradox sp_stapt_uit_beneluxparlement.html, January 2010 30th Socialistische Partij: http://www.sp.nl/europa/nieuwsberichten/7042/091028- Beitritt (2006) Ruzicka, Koran Rusnak (2004), rd 2010 , Osteuropa, 56, , Osteuropa, 10/2006 th 2010 Visegrad Countries Economic Guide Is there any future for Visegrad Cooperation within Visegrad CooperationEU for Is thereanyfuture Totgesage leben langer – DieVisegrad-Gruppe Totgesage leben langer nach dem EU- The Art of Political DecisionMaking of The Art 64 (2001),Bratislava , revised edition, , revised ?, via: th