The European Union (EU)
The European Union is a uniques economic and political partnership between 27 European countries that together cover much of the continent. The EU was created in the aftermath of the Second World War to stimulate economic cooperation, with the idea of making future conflicts in Europe less likely. Its members have set up common institutions to which they delegate some of their sovereignty in order to exercise their right to political, economic and social progress in a secure environment.
How Countries Join the EU
In order for a country to become a part of the European Union, it must comply with the criteria set out in the Treaty of the European Union. This formal document outlines the criteria and procedures a country needs to meet in order to join the Union.
The Copenhagen Criteria
The criteria for accession, known as the “Copenhagen Criteria,” were established at the 1993 European Council meeting. The criteria set out in the Copenhagen document state that aspiring candidate countries must:
• Have achieved stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities;
• Have a functioning market economy and the capacity to cope with competitive pressures and market forces within the Union;
• Be a committed signatory and implement an effective acquis communautaire (the body of European Union law);
• Accept the obligations of membership including adherence to the aims of political, economic and monetary union.
The Four Steps to Joining the EU
In order to join the European Union, aspiring members must follow a four step process of:
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Preparing to apply: Aspiring member states must meet the Copenhagen criteria outlined above before beginning their application process. This readiness review could take more than a decade to complete and includes reforming laws, building institutions and strengthening capacity.
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Applying to join: This application step includes negotiations where member states discuss the detail of joining. The duration of this process will depend on how well the candidate country meets the criteria and the speed with which it can implement the necessary changes.
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Accession negotiations: This stage sees the European Commission, which is the executive body of the European Union, develop in-depth negotiations between the applicant country and the European Union. This process takes around two to three years and covers all areas of the country’s relationship to the European Union.
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Completing the process: Once the accession agreement has been signed, the applicant state must hold a referendum and ratify it. This process can take up to two years and requires the country to satisfy all of the Copenhagen criteria and comply with the accession agreement.
The Benefits of EU Membership
The benefits of becoming a member of the European Union include increased security and economic prosperity as well as easier travel for citizens throughout the Schengen zone. Being a member of the EU also gives a country access to the single market which enables businesses in the EU to sell their goods and services without customs fees and charges.
Joining the European Union is a long process that requires countries to meet a series of criteria and complete various steps before being admitted as a full member. However, the process is worth it for aspiring members as it offers improved economic, political and social stability for their citizens as well as access to the numerous benefits of the EU single market.
