Background

Relevant Policy Documents

Links

Background

Since the fall of the communist regimes in Central and Eastern Europe, several countries have applied for membership of the European Union. Hungary and Poland applied in 1994, whereas Romania, Slovakia, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and Bulgaria followed in 1995. In 1996 the Czech Republic and Slovenia joint the list. In addition Turkey had already applied in 1987, while Cyprus and Malta had announced their application in 1990. Meanwhile, the European Union agreed the foundations for the enlargement process during the summit in Luxemburg in 1997. In the following year negotiations were launched with all countries except Malta, which had temporally frozen its application.

During the 1990s the EU has concluded Association Agreements, the so-called Europe Agreements with the countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The Agreements provide the legal basis for relations between these countries and the EU as well as for the negotiations. Similar Association Agreements had already been established between the European Community and the Mediterranean countries: Turkey (1963), Malta (1970) and Cyprus (1972). In October 2002 the European Commission recommended 10 countries for membership by the year 2004. These countries were Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Cyprus and Malta. Bulgaria and Romania were recommended for membership in 2007 since it was judged that it would be to early for these two countries to meet the requirements of accession. No date was set for Turkey since, according to the Commission, the country was not yet meeting the political criteria.

The accession negotiations are mostly concerning the question whether the candidate countries are meeting the requirements of membership in the European Union. The applicant countries have to meet the Copenhagen criteria which were agreed in 1993. The criteria are political and economical conditions. They include:

• stable democracies where human rights and the rule of law are respected and where minorities are protected;
• a functioning market economy;
• meeting the obligations of membership and adopting the common rules, standards and policies.

In particular the last criteria relates to meeting the so-called acquis communautaire. The acquis communautaire is the term used to indicate the detailed laws and rules which have been adopted on the basis of the European Union’s founding treaties; in particular the Treaty of Rome, Treaty of Maastricht and Treaty of Amsterdam. During the accession negotiations it is judged whether the candidate countries are meeting the requirements of the acquis communautaire. Regularly, the European Commission issues reports concerning the state of the negotiations and the progress which the candidate countries have been making in meeting the requirements of the acquis. The negotiations are divided into 31 Chapters. Each Chapter deals with a certain part of the criteria for accession. Of the 31 Chapters, Chapter 7 on Agriculture, (Chapter 8 to Fisheries to some extent) and Chapter 26 on External Relations are most relevant for third countries. Agriculture is the largest Chapter and is vital to developing countries which have are deeply high stake in the Union’s agricultural policies. Chapter 26 on External Relations is important for third countries as it covers the common commercial policy (thus trade) and development aid. The candidate countries have to meet not only the internal agreements of the European Union, but also the agreements which the European Union has concluded with third countries and international organisations.

Relevant Policy Documents

The number of documents published by European Union institutions on external relations in the context of EU enlargement are very limited. Mostly, the documents focus on internal questions of the enlargement process. The internal effects apply to the candidate countries as well as the current member countries.

According to the European Commission, enlargement will positively affect stability, prosperity and peace in Europe. In economic terms an enlarged market up to 370 million people will provide an incentive for businesses in the candidate countries and the EU countries. Short term costs will be compensated by long term benefits. The Commission estimates that migration flows will be limited.

The enlargement will also make the Union a larger player in world affairs. In this way it affects third countries. Third countries including the developing countries will be influenced by the enlargement, but according to the Commission these effects will mainly be positive.

This section provides policy documents regarding the negotiations and the effects of the enlargement:

• Documents which are relevant to the enlargement in general.
• Documents which are related to third countries.

Links

European Commission: DG Enlargement

This web site contains comprehensive information and serves as a hub towards enlargement related issues within other Directorate Generals and the governments of current and future Member States.  

European Commission: DG Agriculture

Here you can information in specific relation to the agricultural policies of the European Commission. There are special sections for enlargement related issues and issues concerning the reform of the CAP.  

European Parliament: Enlargement of the European Union

This site contains up date information concerning the general aspects of the enlargement process.

European Parliament: Reuniting Europe: the fifth enlargement

This web site is no longer regularly updated. However, it is providing relevant information concerning the enlargement process and its historical perspective.