2004 war ein wichtiges Jahr für die EU: Im Zuge ihrer bislang größten Erweiterung bekam sie zehn neue Mitgliedstaaten – und neun neue offizielle Arbeitssprachen. Der 1. Mai 2004 war geprägt von Freude, Einheit und grenzenlosen Möglichkeiten. Anlässlich des 20. Jahrestags dieses geschichtsträchtigen Ereignisses tauchen wir in dieser Folge ein in die Geschichte der EU.

Der 20. Jahrestag der größten EU-Erweiterung

Die EU ist eine politische und wirtschaftliche Union mit 27 Mitgliedstaaten. Auch einige Drittstaaten haben Interesse an einer EU-Mitgliedschaft und bereits einen Beitrittsantrag gestellt. Derzeit gibt es neun Bewerberländer. Doch der Weg zur EU-Mitgliedschaft ist lang und der Aufnahmeprozess alles andere als einfach.

Wie funktioniert die Erweiterung der Europäischen Union?

In November 2023, the European Commission presented its annual enlargement reports. Its strategic orientations and recommendations include accelerating the accession process with the Western Balkan countries, opening accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, and granting candidate status to Georgia. According to the European Parliament's 2022 recommendation on the new EU strategy, enlargement policy is 'the most effective EU foreign policy instrument and one of the Union's most successful policies'.

EPRS Policy Podcast: Enlargement policy - Reforms and challenges ahead

Die EU ist eine politische und wirtschaftliche Union mit 27 Mitgliedstaaten. Auch einige Drittstaaten haben Interesse an einer EU-Mitgliedschaft und bereits einen Beitrittsantrag gestellt. Derzeit gibt es sieben Bewerberländer und drei mögliche Beitrittskandidaten. Doch der Weg zur EU-Mitgliedschaft ist lang und der Aufnahmeprozess alles andere als einfach.

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

On May 1, 2004, ten&nbsp;new member states joined the European Union, marking the&nbsp;largest enlargement in terms of people and number of countries in the EU's history. Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia joined the Union, growing from 15 to 25 members.

The European Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of these ten nations joining the European Union&nbsp;and engaging in the EP's democratic process to defend the interests of European citizens.

20th anniversary of the 2004 enlargement of the European Union

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)

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.

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.

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.

EU Enlargement - Western Balkans

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.

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20th anniversary of the 2004 enlargement of the European Union

EU Enlargement - Western Balkans (2019-2020)

EU Enlargement - Western Balkans

Enlargement

Streaming (20)

Audiodateien (5)