32.

Enlargement of the European Union

The European Union (EU), which the six countries laid the foundations for today by
establishing the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic
Community, has gone through a number of successive widening and deepening processes, and
transformed into a 27-member transnational structure that implements common policies in
many areas. In this process, the EU has become a much stronger Union in terms of political,
economic and geopolitical terms by incorporating new member states, each of which has a
different nature, and thus increased its effectiveness in the international system.
The criteria defined at the Copenhagen European Summit in 1993, known as the ‘Copenhagen
Criteria’, serve as a basic guide for the countries wishing to become a member of the Union.
The EU takes the decision to start negotiations with candidate countries only if they fulfill the
requirements, which are also known as the Copenhagen “Political” Criteria; including
democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the existence of institutions that guarantee
minority rights.
On the other hand, at the Madrid Summit held on 15-16 December 1995, it was stated that the
candidate states for the Union are not only responsible for transposing the EU acquis into their
internal law, but are also responsible for establishing the administrative and legal structures in
charge of implementing the legislation they have harmonized and this was presented as a new
condition for accession. This condition, called the administrative capacity criteria, is also
called the Madrid Criteria.
In addition to the Copenhagen Criteria and the Madrid Criteria, in Agenda 2000, establishing
good neighborly relations was presented as a condition of accession. Accordingly, all
candidate countries should resolve border disputes between themselves and with third
countries before joining the Union and, if necessary, apply to the International Court of
Justice.
In the negotiation process of the Western Balkan countries, which are currently running, the
European Commission has developed a new approach to the Chapter 23- Judiciary and
Fundamental Rights and the Chapter 24- Justice, Freedom and Security. In the framework of
the ‘New Approach’, it was agreed that the Chapters 23 and 24 should be addressed as early
as possible and remain open throughout the negotiation process in order to provide the
candidate country with the necessary time to establish the necessary reform program; if the
progress in these chapters falls behind the progress in the general negotiation process, the
opening and closing of the other chapters may be affected.
Lastly, on 5 February 2020 European Commission presented a Communication on
“Enhancing the accession process - A credible EU perspective for the Western Balkans” and
has made important methodological changes in enlargement policy. These methodological
changes are mainly for the accession process of North Macedonia and Albania, but if they
want Serbia and Montenegro could also be part of this new method. Commission’s proposals
are adopted by member states on 25 March 2020 EU General Affairs Council. Besides on 15
May 2020, Montenegro announced that they accepted to be part of the new method.
First Enlargement (Britain, Ireland, Denmark – 1973)
Britain, Ireland and Denmark applied to the EU in 1961 for membership. The enlargement
process for these countries began after De Gaulle's resignation from the French Presidency in
1969 and ended on 1 January 1973, with the accession to the EU.
The Second Enlargement (Greece – 1981)
Relations with Greece, which signed the Association Agreement with the EU in 1961, were
suspended when the Military Junta seized power in 1967. After a six-year negotiation process,
member states began to argue that instead of excluding Greece, its democratization and
economic development could be achieved more effectively within the Union, and Greece
became a member of the EU on 1 January 1981.
Third Enlargement (Spain, Portugal – 1986)
The third enlargement, also known as the Iberian Enlargement, took place when Spain and
Portugal joined the EU on 1 January 1986.
Fourth Enlargement (Austria, Finland, Sweden – 1995) 
The fourth enlargement of the EU is closely related with the Cold War and the developments
took place afterwards. Austria, Finland and Sweden, who pursued neutrality during the war,
decided to join the EU when the Cold War was over. This enlargement process went
smoothly, as these countries were culturally part of Europe and had established close
economic ties with the European Community before the candidacy. Austria, Finland and
Sweden became EU members on 1 January 1995.
The Fifth Enlargement (Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Latvia,
Lithuania, Estonia, Malta, Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus – 2004)
(Romania, Bulgaria – 2007)
The EU Council then initiated the process of enlargement at the Luxembourg Summit in
December 1997. For the first time in this process, the following twelve countries received
candidate status: Bulgaria, Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic and
Slovenia.
On 31 March 1998, on the recommendation of the European Commission, negotiations began
with six countries, namely the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, the Czech
Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia.
On 1 May 2004, the most comprehensive enlargement of EU history was completed with the
official accession of 10 new member states (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Malta and Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern
Cyprus) to the EU.
Bulgaria and Romania became members on 1 January 2007.
The Sixth Enlargement (Croatia – 2013)
Croatia has signed the Accession Treaty on 9 December 2011, after Slovenia has unblocked
its various chapters. Along with Croatia becoming a member in 2013, the EU has become a
28-member Union. However, after the United Kingdom’s exit from the EU on 31 January
2020, today the Union has 27 member states.
Candidate and Potential Candidate Countries
In the current situation there are four countries that are candidates for EU membership other
than Turkey: North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania. The EU continues its
accession negotiations with Turkey, Montenegro and Serbia. Besides, the EU General Affairs
Council of 25 March 2020, decided to open accession negotiations with Albania and North
Macedonia. However, due to COVID-19 pandemic, it is not clear yet when the accession
negotiations of Albania and North Macedonia will begin.
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo are potential candidate countries.