Ongoing enlargement
The enlargement process is based on a certain number of principles and instruments which have been drawn up gradually, especially in the context of the fifth enlargement. Its objective is to prepare the candidate countries to assume the obligations deriving from Member State status. The Copenhagen criteria determine the conditions to be respected by the candidate countries: the political and economic criteria and the adoption and application of European legislation (acquis). This process requires considerable effort on the part of the candidate countries, which are judged on their own merits, especially in terms of strengthening institutions and reforms. The EU has therefore established various instruments to support and assist them and to evaluate their preparation and needs at each stage of the enlargement process.
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ENLARGEMENT STRATEGY
- The accession process for a new Member State
- Enlargement Strategy 2011-2012
- 2010-2011 Enlargement StrategyArchives
- Enlargement strategy 2009-2010Archives
- Enlargement Strategy 2007-2008Archives
- Enlargement strategy 2006-2007: challenges and integration capacityArchives
- Enlargement strategy 2005: roadmap for the Western BalkansArchives
- Progress with enlargement: Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia (2004)Archives
- Enlargement strategy and 2003 report on the candidate countriesArchives
- CANDIDATE COUNTRIES
- INSTRUMENTS
- TURKISH CYPRIOT COMMUNITY