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

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

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)

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

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

MEPs in the Foreign Affairs Committee meet Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos. The discussion is expected to focus on the state of play and the progress made by the ten enlargement countries.

AFET debate with Marta KOS, Commissioner  for Enlargement

Marta Kos is self-employed, working through Kos Consulting and Coaching since 2021. From 2017 to 2021, she was the Slovenian Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and the Ambassador to Germany and Latvia (2013-2017). She is now the European Commissioner-designate for Enlargement, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Marta KOS, Commissioner-designate, Enlargement

EP President Roberta Metsola, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, former EP President Pat Cox, and former Commission President Romano Prodi participates in a formal sitting of Parliament to mark the 20th anniversary of the 2004 EU enlargement round along with representatives from the ten countries, that joined the EU 20 years ago.

During the ceremony, the guests answer questions from a group of young people born on or around 1 May 2004 from the new member states, who are invited to attend the sitting.

Formal sitting commemorating the 20th anniversary of the EU's biggest enlargement

AFET - Exchange of views with Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement

Press point by Marta KOS, Commissioner-designate for Enlargement

Press point by David MCALLISTER (EPP, Germany), Chair of AFET, following the confirmation hearing of Marta KOS, Commissioner-designate for Enlargement

DROI

LIBE

AFCO

AFET

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

AFET - Confirmation hearing of Marta KOS, European Commissioner-designate for Enlargement.- Press point

AFET - Confirmation hearing of Marta KOS, European Commissioner-designate for Enlargement

20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement - Parliament’s seats illumination

EP Plenary session - Pre-enlargement reforms and policy reviews

20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement - Interviews

20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement - Arrivals and family photo

EP Plenary session - 20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement

AFET - Exchange of views with Foreign Affairs Ministers of Member States on the EU enlargement policy ahead of the March 2024 European Council

This news item shows extracts from the arrival of Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Leader of the Belarusian democratic opposition, and meeting with Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, and extracts from the Hight-Level Conference "Standing with the People of Belarus". The meeting is followed by the High-Level Conference, organised jointly by the European External Action Service and the European Parliament, in cooperation with the European Commission. The conference aims to send a clear message of solidarity and commitment, bringing together EU leaders, international partners, think tanks and representatives from Belarusian democratic forces and civil society.

High-Level Conference Standing with the People of Belarus: Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA Leader of Belarusian democratic opposition and Marta KOS Commissioner for Enlargement, extracts from the opening statement

Marta KOS, European Commissioner for Enlargement, makes a statement opening the High-Level Conference - Standing with the People of Belarus.

High-Level Conference - Standing with the People of Belarus: Opening statement by Marta KOS, European Commissioner for Enlargement

David MCALLISTER (EPP, DE), AFET Committee Chair, speaks first, to the press, after Marta KOS, European Commissioner-designate for Enlargement, of the VON DER LEYEN Commission, was heard by the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) of the European Parliament. Just after, Marta KOS, European Commissioner-designate for Enlargement, takes the floor and speaks to the press. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery

Press points by Marta KOS, European Commissioner-designate for Enlargement, and David MCALLISTER (EPP, DE), AFET Committee Chair

Marta KOS, European Commissioner-designate for Enlargement, of the VON DER LEYEN Commission is heard by the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) of the European Parliament. Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) and Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) participate as joint committees. At the end of the confirmation hearing, Marta KOS gives a closing statement followed by David MCALLISTER (EPP, DE), AFET Committee Chair. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery

Confirmation hearing of Marta KOS, European Commissioner-designate for Enlargement: closing statements by Commissioner-designate and David MCALLISTER (EPP, DE), AFET Committee Chair

Marta KOS, European Commissioner-designate for Enlargement, of the VON DER LEYEN Commission is heard by the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) of the European Parliament. Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) and Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) participate as joint committees. During the confirmation hearing, Marta KOS answers questions by committee members.

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