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The Copenhagen Criteria -

To become a member of the EU, a country must fulfill the Copenhagen Criteria, which sets essential political, economic, and legal standards. These include having stable institutions that guarantee democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, ensuring the country upholds fundamental EU values.

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Economic readiness and legal alignment -

Additionally, it must have a functioning market economy capable of competing within the EU and demonstrate the ability to adopt and implement EU laws and regulations.

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Alignment for stability and integration -

These requirements ensure that new members align with the EU's political, economic, and legal framework, fostering stability and integration.

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The application process -

A country seeking EU membership must submit a formal application to the European Council. The Council then evaluates whether the country meets the basic criteria.

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Candidate status -

If deemed eligible, the country is granted candidate status, which is the first step in a long process of negotiations and reforms to align with EU standards.

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Accession negotiations -

Once a country gains candidate status, it must negotiate with the EU to bring its laws and policies in line with EU legislation (the acquis communautaire).

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A potentially lengthy process -

These negotiations cover various areas such as trade, justice, environmental regulations, and human rights. The process can take years or even decades to complete.

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Membership approval process -

After completing negotiations and meeting all EU requirements, the candidate country must receive unanimous approval from all existing EU member states.

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All members have to agree -

The European Parliament and national parliaments of member states also need to ratify the accession treaty. This ensures that all members agree to the new country joining.

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Candidate countries -

Countries that meet the basic political and economic requirements but still need reforms are labeled "candidate countries" (e.g., Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia).

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Potential candidate countries -

Some countries are "potential candidates", meaning they're being considered for future membership (e.g., Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia). The EU provides assistance to these nations to help them progress.

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Can non-European countries join? -

EU membership is generally limited to European countries, as stated in the EU treaties. However, the definition of "European" is somewhat flexible.

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Geographic considerations -

For example, Turkey has long been an EU candidate despite most of its land being in Asia. Countries outside Europe, such as Morocco, have been denied membership on geographic grounds.

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Economic requirements for membership -

A country must have a functioning market economy that can handle competition within the EU. This means having stable financial institutions, low inflation, sustainable public debt, and an efficient legal framework for business.

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Economic stability -

Meeting these requirements is vital to ensure that the country's economy is stable and competitive within the EU. This prevents the new member from becoming an economic burden on the union.

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Political and democratic standards -

To join the EU, a country must demonstrate strong democratic institutions, including free and fair elections, independent media, and respect for human rights. Corruption and weak governance can delay or block accession.

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A vigilant process -

The EU closely monitors these aspects before granting membership, ensuring that new members align with its democratic values.

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Can a country be kicked out of the EU? -

There is no formal mechanism to expel a country from the EU. However, if a member state violates fundamental EU values, it can face serious consequences.

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Response to rule-of-law violations -

This procedure has been considered in response to rule-of-law violations in countries like Hungary and Poland, where concerns over democratic governance and judicial independence have arisen.

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Article 7 -

Article 7 allows the EU to suspend certain rights of a member state, including voting power in the European Council, if it breaches democratic principles.

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A last-resort measure -

This is the closest thing to expulsion but doesn't remove a country from the EU entirely. It's intended to be a last-resort measure for serious violations.

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Can a country leave the EU? -

Yes, a country can leave the EU voluntarily through Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. The UK used this mechanism for Brexit, officially exiting the EU in 2020.

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Negotiating a smooth exit -

The process involves negotiations on trade, legal, and political matters to ensure a smooth departure while minimizing economic disruptions.

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How long does it take to join the EU? -

The process of joining the EU is lengthy and complex, often taking 10-20 years or more. Countries must undertake extensive reforms to align with EU laws and economic policies.

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Turkey's EU candidacy -

For example, Turkey has been an EU candidate since 1999 but still hasn't joined due to political and human rights concerns.

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Geographic and cultural considerations -

The EU mainly accepts European countries, but geographic and cultural factors play a role. Nations with strong historical and economic ties to Europe, like Turkey, have been considered despite geographical complications.

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Regional integration -

The EU promotes regional integration, prioritizing countries from the Western Balkans. For example, Croatia joined the EU in 2013, becoming the most recent member from the region, highlighting the EU's commitment to including neighboring countries in its expansion.

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Future EU expansions -

The EU continues to consider expanding, particularly in the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe, and the Caucasus region. Countries such as Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia have applied for membership, driven by growing geopolitical tensions with Russia.

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Geopolitical tensions -

The ongoing war in Ukraine has further highlighted the desire for greater integration with the EU for security and economic stability. Future EU expansions will depend on these countries' political stability, reforms, and adherence to EU standards.

Sources: (Euronews) (The Guardian) (Reuters) (European Parliament) 

See also: Why these European countries don't use the euro as currency

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