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Enlargement
Enlargement of the European Union: milestones and future outlook
The European Union has grown from six to currently 27 members – a highly attractive and successful model
Parameters of the enlargement process
According to Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union, any European country can apply for membership of the Union. moreParameters of the enlargement process
The EU enlargement process
The EU accession process is long and minutely planned. moreThe EU enlargement process
Helping countries prepare for accession
Candidate countries receive support from the EU through accession partnerships and the Instrument for Pre‑Accession Assistance (IPA). moreHelping countries prepare for accession
EU enlargement: Croatia
In a referendum on 22 January 2012, the people of Croatia voted to join the EU. Croatia is expected to become the EU’s 28th member state on 1 July 2013 after it and the 27 current EU member states have completed the ratification process.
moreEU enlargement: Croatia
EU enlargement: Iceland
Iceland applied to join the EU in July 2009. Owing to its membership of EFTA and the EEA, as well as the Schengen Agreement, the country has had close ties with the EU for many years.
moreEU enlargement: Iceland
The EU enlargement: Turkey
On 3 October 2005, the European Union opened accession negotiations with Turkey, which has had candidate status since 1999. The European Council had previously decided in December 2004 that “Turkey sufficiently fulfils the Copenhagen political criteria to open accession negotiations.” moreThe EU enlargement: Turkey
EU candidate country: the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
In 2004, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia applied for EU membership; in December 2005, it was granted candidate country status by the European Council. moreEU candidate country: the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
EU enlargement: Montenegro
Montenegro applied for membership of the EU in December 2008 and has had the status of a candidate country since 2010. Accession negotiations were opened on 29 June 2012.
moreEU enlargement: Montenegro
EU candidate country: Serbia
On 22 December 2009 Serbia submitted an application to join the European Union and was granted the status of candidate country on 1 March 2012.
moreEU candidate country: Serbia
EU prospects for Albania
Albania applied to join the EU in 2009. But before accession negotiations can be launched, the criteria set by the European Commission in 2010 must be met.
moreEU prospects for Albania
EU prospects for Bosnia and Herzegovina
Like all the other countries of the Western Balkans, Bosnia and Herzegovina also has prospects of joining the European Union – as determined by the European Council in 2003.
moreEU prospects for Bosnia and Herzegovina
EU prospects for Kosovo
Like all other Western Balkan countries, Kosovo has been offered the prospect of joining the European Union by the European Council in Thessaloniki in 2003.
moreEU prospects for Kosovo