The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states, but a number of countries have applied to join the Union. Currently there are seven candidate countries, while three are potential candidates. However, the process to finally become a member state is long and not straightforward.

The enlargement of the European Union how does it work

In this plenary round-up: the EU enlargement process, gas reserves before the onset of winter, Parliament’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the ‘This is Europe’ debate, and the EU COVID certificate extended for another year. All of this against a backdrop of debates and voting. Highlights.

Plenary Round-Up - Brussels, June II 2022

Interview with Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, EP President 2004 - 2007 on the enlargement (audio only)

The story of the EP by its Presidents: Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, EP President 2004 - 2007 - 1. The enlargement

The European Union's enlargement policy is based on established criteria and fair and rigorous conditionality.

Progress along the European path is an objective and merit-based process which depends on the concrete results achieved by each individual country, with the rule of law, justice and fundamental rights being an utmost priority. A credible enlargement perspective requires sustained efforts and irreversible reforms. The EU Enlargement is an investment in peace, security and stability in Europe: a prospect of EU membership has a powerful transformative effect on the partners in the process, embedding positive democratic, political, economic and societal change.

Albania, the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey are candidate countries.The European Council has decided to grant the status of candidate country to Ukraine and to the Republic of Moldova in June 2022.

Negotiations are held with each candidate country to determine their ability to apply EU legislation (acquis) and examine their possible request for transition periods.

Enlargement

On 20 and 21 April, the Foreign Affairs Committee will vote to assess the progress achieved by Albania and North Macedonia on their path to EU membership, and will discuss the state of play for Serbia and Kosovo.

The EU has developed a policy to support the gradual integration of the Western Balkan countries with the Union. The EU aims to promote peace, stability and economic development in the region&nbsp;and open up the prospect of EU integration.

On 1&nbsp;July&nbsp;2013, Croatia became the first of the seven countries to join, and Montenegro, Serbia, the Republic of North Macedonia and Albania are official candidates. Accession negotiations and chapters have been opened with Montenegro and Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo are potential candidate countries.

In order to apply for EU membership a country has to be European and respect the EU’s democratic values. It also needs stable institutions guaranteeing democracy and the rule of law; a functioning market economy; and the ability to take on and carry out the obligations of EU membership.

Parliament is fully involved in the Stabilisation and Association Process &nbsp;and must also consent to any new accession to the EU. In addition, through its budgetary powers, it has direct influence over the amounts allocated to the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance. Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs appoints standing rapporteurs for all candidate and potential candidate countries. Parliament expresses its positions on enlargement in the form of annual resolutions responding to the Commission’s latest annual country reports.

EU Enlargement - Western Balkans

Candidate countries include Montenegro, Albania, Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina are considered potential candidates.

In order to apply for EU membership a country has to be European and respect the EU’s democratic values. It also needs stable institutions guaranteeing democracy and the rule of law; a functioning market economy; and the ability to take on and carry out the obligations of EU membership.

EU Enlargement - Western Balkans (2019-2020)

Candidate countries include Montenegro, Albania, Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina are considered potential candidates.

In order to apply for EU membership a country has to be European and respect the EU’s democratic values. It also needs stable institutions guaranteeing democracy and the rule of law; a functioning market economy; and the ability to take on and carry out the obligations of EU membership.

EU Enlargement - Western Balkans - 8th parliamentary term

EP Plenary session - New EU strategy for enlargement

Press conference by Stéphane SÉJOURNÉ, Renew Europe President, on the enlargement of the group

Press conference by Olivér VÁRHELYI, Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

Joint meeting / Climate Change in the Mediterranean: situation of the UfM members in the enlargement area

MEPs vote on: System of own resources of the European Union - Valérie HAYER (Renew,FR); José Manuel FERNANDES (EPP, PT), Recognising the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism; EU strategy for enlargement - Tonino PICULA (S&D, HR); Situation in Libya; Promoting regional stability and security in the broader Middle East region; Prevention, management and better care of diabetes in the EU on the occasion of the World Diabetes Day.

Voting session (part 2), including the recognition of the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism

MEPs discuss with EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell how to respond to the increasing crackdown on protests in Iran.The demonstrations, which started in mid-September after a young woman, Mahsa Amini, was killeddied in the custody of ‘morality police’ for breaking strict hijab rules, have now gone on for nearly two months. closing statement by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement.

EU response to the increasing crackdown on protests in Iran: closing statement by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

MEPs discuss with EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell how to respond to the increasing crackdown on protests in Iran.The demonstrations, which started in mid-September after a young woman, Mahsa Amini, was killeddied in the custody of ‘morality police’ for breaking strict hijab rules, have now gone on for nearly two months. Opening statement by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement.

EU response to the increasing crackdown on protests in Iran: opening statement by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

Closing statement of what the MEPs discussed about the role that Belarus has played in supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. Closing statement by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, on behalf of HRVP Josep BORRELL FONTELLES.

Lukashenko regime's active role in the war against Ukraine: closing statement by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, on behalf of HRVP Josep BORRELL FONTELLES

MEPs discuss the role Belarus has played in supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. Opening statement by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, on behalf of HRVP Josep BORRELL FONTELLES.

Lukashenko regime's active role in the war against Ukraine: opening statements by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, on behalf of HRVP Josep BORRELL FONTELLES

Closing statements of the MEPs debate on the official start of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania last July and to call on the EU to grant visa liberalisation to Kosovo. They are also likely to urge Serbia to align with the EU’s restrictive measures and policy towards Russia. Opening statements by Oliver VARHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement.

EU-Western Balkans relations in light of the new enlargement package: closing statement by Oliver VARHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

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EU Enlargement - Western Balkans (2019-2020)

EU Enlargement - Western Balkans - 8th parliamentary term

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Voting session (part 2), including the recognition of the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism

EU response to the increasing crackdown on protests in Iran: closing statement by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

EU response to the increasing crackdown on protests in Iran: opening statement by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

Lukashenko regime's active role in the war against Ukraine: closing statement by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, on behalf of HRVP Josep BORRELL FONTELLES

Lukashenko regime's active role in the war against Ukraine: opening statements by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, on behalf of HRVP Josep BORRELL FONTELLES

EU-Western Balkans relations in light of the new enlargement package: closing statement by Oliver VARHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

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EP Plenary session - New EU strategy for enlargement

EP Plenary session - New EU strategy for enlargement

EP Plenary session - New EU strategy for enlargement

EP Plenary session - New EU strategy for enlargement

EP Plenary session - New EU strategy for enlargement

EP Plenary session - New EU strategy for enlargement

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The enlargement of the European Union how does it work

Plenary Round-Up - Brussels, June II 2022

The story of the EP by its Presidents: Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, EP President 2004 - 2007 - 1. The enlargement