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Enlargement process ½ Candidate Countries ½ Potential Candidate Countries ½ Reports½ Links
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The Accession Process starts with the submission of a request for membership from the applicant country to the Council of the European Union. The European Commission assesses the applicant's ability to meet the conditions of membership, and compliance with the basic values of the EU. The accession criteria are defined in the conclusions of the European Councils in Copenhagen in 1993 and in Madrid in 1995. If the Commission delivers a positive opinion, and the Council unanimously agrees to a negotiating mandate, negotiations are formally opened between the candidate and all the Member States. The negotiations cover the entire EU acquis (community law), chapter-by-chapter, to seek agreement on when and how the candidate will align its laws and practice with EU requirements. Once the candidate commits to the necessary changes in its laws, the Accession Treaty fixes the terms and conditions of the accession, which can include transitional periods. A candidate becomes a member when the European Commission delivers its positive opinion, the European Parliament gives its assent, the Accession Treaty is approved by the Member States, and the Accession Treaty is ratified by all Member States and the candidate country. |
Enlargement process
Candidate CountriesCroatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey are candidate countries. Croatia and Turkey are two candidate countries with which accession negotiations have started (in October 2005). The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is a candidate country with which accession negotiations have not started yet. The European Council granted the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia the status of a candidate country in December 2005. Turkey signed an Association Agreement with the European Union in 1963 to establish the gradual creation of a custom union. The Customs Union came into force on 31 December 1995, but does not cover agricultural products. Turkey submitted its application in 1987. However, its accession is one of the most complicated. In the last Progress Report released in November 2006 concerns on human rights and the protection of minorities were raised, as well as concerns about its large deficit and the issue of diplomatic recognition of Cyprus. Turkey with 71 million people would become the second largest country in the European Union just behind Germany if it were to accede. Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia form also part of the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP), which is the EU’s policy framework for the Western Balkan countries. The goals of SAP include the stabilization and a swift transition to a market economy, the promotion of regional cooperation and the prospect of EU accession. The centerpiece of the SAP is the conclusion of a Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the EU and each Western Balkan country. The Autonomous Trade Measures are part of the SAP and allow duty free access to the EU market for practically all products originating from the region. Potential Candidate CountriesAlbania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia and Montenegro, including Kosovo under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of 10 June 1999 are potential candidate countries. Their progress towards being recognized as candidates depends on their engagement in the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP). |
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