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

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

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

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

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Enlargement

<p>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.</p>

<p><strong>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</strong>.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

EU Enlargement - Western Balkans

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

<p>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.</p>

EU Enlargement - Western Balkans (2019 - 2020)

EU Enlargement - Western Balkans - 8th parliamentary term

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<p>Official portraits selection of incoming during the 8th Parliamentary term.</p>

<p><span class="head_sub_text">The European Parliament is made up of 751 Members elected in the 28 Member States of the enlarged European Union. Since 1979 MEPs have been elected by direct universal suffrage for a five-year period.</span></p>
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Official portraits of MEPs - 8th Parliamentary term

<p><strong>Since he was elected EP President on 3 July 2019, David SASSOLI represents Parliament in its international relations, and, in this connection, undertakes official visits within and outside the EU. He also receives official representatives from governments.</strong></p>

<p>The work of the European Union (EU) in the area of external relations includes the external trade relations, development policy, human rights and democracy, Union’s enlargement and neighbourhood and relations beyond the neighbourhood.</p>

President Sassoli's official visits and bilateral meetings (2019 -2020)

<p><strong>The Prodi Commission was the European Commission in office between 1999 and 2004. The administration was led by former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi. </strong></p>

<p>The commission took office on 16 September 1999 following the scandal and subsequent resignation of the Santer Commission which had damaged the reputation of the institution. The College consisted of 20 Commissioners which grew to 30 following the Enlargement of the European Union in 2004. It was the last commission to see two members allocated to the larger member states.</p>

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Appointment of the Prodi Commission

EU leaders discuss how to strengthen the EU's economic base by focusing on the opportunities provided by digital transformation and the green transition. They also exchange views on the EU's digital policy. In line with its conclusions of October 2019, the European Council returns to the issue of enlargement. Leaders exchange views on preparations for the Western Balkans summit, to be held in Zagreb in May. They also hold a strategic discussion on EU-China relations ahead of the EU-China summit and the EU-China Leadersʼ meeting and assess the outcome of the EU summit with India on 13 March 2020. The European Council is invited to endorse the new strategic guidelines in the field of justice and home affairs.

European Council, 26-27 March 2020

<p><strong>North Macedonia submitted its membership application in 2004 and became a candidate for accession to the EU in 2005. The Council decided to open accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia on 25 March 2020, following the Commission's proposals on a revised enlargement methodology.</strong></p>

<p>North Macedonia is currently on its way to becoming the 30th member of NATO and hopes for a swift ratification of the NATO Accession Protocol by all partners; it reiterates its belief in the positive impact that the accession of North Macedonia to NATO will have for peace and stability in the region; underlines that the accession of North Macedonia to NATO is an encouraging sign of improved climate in the region.</p>

EU - North Macedonia

<p><strong>Have a look a look back at the first <span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">constituent meeting of the European Parliament held in Strasbourg on 19 March 1958.</span></strong></p>

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<p align="left" style="text-align:left"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">The European Parliament of 2008 has wide decision-making powers on legislation, the budget and control and scrutiny of the European Commission. In fact, the European Parliament is unique in the world. There is no other directly elected supra-national parliament with such wide-ranging power. </span></p>

<p align="left" style="text-align:left"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Once and if the Lisbon Treaty was ratified, the European Parliament, following the elections in June 2009, was composed of 751 MEPs with its powers once more enlarged. </span></p>

60th anniversary of the European Parliament

<p><strong>The 34th Session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly took place from 18 to 20 December 2017 in Port-au-Prince (Haiti). </strong></p>

<p>The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly was created out of a common desire to bring together the elected representatives of the European Community - the Members of the European Parliament - and the elected representatives of the African, Caribbean and Pacific states ("ACP countries") that have signed the Cotonou Agreement: it is the only institution of its kind in the world.</p>

<p>It is the only international assembly in which the representatives of various countries sit together regularly with the aim of promoting the interdependence of North and South.</p>

<p>Since the entry into force of the Treaty on EU and EU enlargement it has acquired a more prominent role. A substantial part of the work of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly is directed towards promoting human rights and democracy and the common values of humanity, and this has produced joint commitments undertaken within the framework of the UN conferences.</p>

34th ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary assembly

<p>During the&nbsp;meeting on 23-24 June 2022, the European Council discussed&nbsp;the wider Europe, Ukraine, EU membership applications from Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia, economic issues, the Conference on the Future of Europe and external relations.</p>

<p>The European Council recognised&nbsp;the European perspective of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia. The future of these countries and their citizens lies within the European Union.&nbsp;The European Council has decided to grant the status of candidate country to Ukraine and to the Republic of Moldova. &nbsp;he Commission is invited to report to the Council on the fulfilment of the conditions specified in the Commission’s opinions on the respective membership applications as part of its regular enlargement package. The Council will decide on further steps once all these conditions are fully met. &nbsp;The European Council is ready to grant the status of candidate country to Georgia once the priorities specified in the Commission’s opinion on Georgia’s membership application have been addressed.</p>

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European Council, 23-24 June 2022

<p><strong>In 2004 Slovakia joined the European Union as a Member State, the Schengen area Member since 21 December 2007, and in 2009 the Eurozone, when the Euro was introduced to replace the Slovak Crown as the national currency.</strong></p>

<p>There are more than 5.4 million people in Slovakia. The country has 14 Members of European Parliament (MEPs). Slovakia has presided the EU between July and December 2016.</p>

<p>Slovakia is a parliamentary democratic republic with a head of government - the prime minister - who holds the most executive power and a head of state - the president - who is the formal head of the executive, but with very limited powers. The country is subdivided into 8 regions, each named after its principal city.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The country was in the centre of attention nad underwent huge political turbulences especially since February 2018 when the investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée were murdered.</p>

EU - Slovakia

<p>As part of the European Green Deal, with the European Climate Law, the EU has set itself a binding target of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. This requires current greenhouse gas emission levels to drop substantially in the next decades. As an intermediate step towards climate neutrality, the EU has raised its 2030 climate ambition, committing to cutting emissions by at least 55% by 2030.</p>

<p>During June plenary MEPs agreed to increase ambition for emissions reduction in the international aviation sector to achieve EU and global climate goals. Parliament also adopted its position on the effort sharing regulation which sets binding annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions for EU member states and currently regulates roughly 60 % of EU emissions. Parliament supported also a revised CO2 emissions standards for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles.</p>

<p>During June II plenary session MEPs&nbsp;adopted their position on the revision of the EU Emissions Trading System.&nbsp;To incentivise industries to further reduce their emissions and invest in low-carbon technologies, the Emissions Trading System should be reformed and its scope enlarged.</p>

Fit for 55

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<h3 class="nobackground expand_collapse_btn disabled">New Parliament, new Development Committee, new Chair</h3>

<div class="contrib_details"><span class="date_hour">10-07-2019 - 21:45</span></div>

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<p><a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/resources/library/images/20190710PHT56723/20190710PHT56723_width_600.jpg?epbox" title="Tomas Tobé, elected Chair of DEVE on 10 July, 2019 © European Parliament"><img alt="Swedish MEP Tomas Tobé during the constitutive meeting of the DEVE committee" class="small" src="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/resources/library/images/20190710PHT56723/20190710PHT56723_width_175.jpg" title="Enlarge the image" /> </a></p>

<p><a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/resources/library/images/20190710PHT56723/20190710PHT56723_width_600.jpg?epbox" title="Tomas Tobé, elected Chair of DEVE on 10 July, 2019 © European Parliament">​​​​​​​</a> <label class="content_text">On Wednesday 10 July, the Committe on Development (DEVE) met for the first time in its new composition and elected as its Chair Swedish MEP Tomas TOBÉ (EPP). The Committee also elected four Vice Chairs: Pierrette HERZBERGER-FOFANA (Greens/EFA), Norbert NEUSER (S&amp;D), Chrysoula ZACHAROPOULOU (Renew Europe), Erik MARQUARDT (Greens/EFA). The next meeting of the Committee will take place in the morning of 24 July and is set to discuss the state of play of development cooperation, the 2020 budget and the future partnership with ACP countries. The Finish EU Council Presidency will set out its priorities, in particular in humanitarian aid. </label></p>
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DEVE - Committee on Development

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<h3 class="nobackground expand_collapse_btn disabled">David McAllister reelected Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs</h3>

<div class="contrib_details"><span class="date_hour">10-07-2019 - 17:36</span></div>

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<a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/resources/library/images/20190710PHT56718/20190710PHT56718_width_600.jpg?epbox" title="David McAllister © European Parliament 2019 @ European Union"><img alt="David McAllister" class="small" src="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/resources/library/images/20190710PHT56718/20190710PHT56718_width_175.jpg" title="Enlarge the image" /> </a>

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<p class="inline_p">David McAllister (EPP, DE) will continue as the Chair of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee for the coming two and a half years. He was re-elected by acclamation on Wednesday, 10 July. During its constituent meeting, the Committee also elected Witold Waszczykowski (ECR, PL) as the Committee’s First Vice-Chair. The remaining three Vice-Chairs will be elected at a future meeting. Together, the Chair and Vice-Chairs will form the Bureau of the Committee.</p>
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AFET - Committee on Foreign Affairs

Press conference on the 2021 reports on Serbia and Kosovo

EP Plenary session - 2021 Report on Kosovo

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

Press point following the hearing of Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner-designate, Neighbourhood and Enlargement

Hearing of Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner-designate, Neighbourhood and Enlargement

Foreign Affairs Extraordinary meeting Presentation of Commissioner Hahn of the Enlargement package reports

Federica MOGHERINI - Vice-President of the Commission, and Johannes HAHN, Commissioner for the Enlargement Package

Decision adopted on the EU Enlargement Strategy - Western Balkans (debate)

Enlargement and strengthening of the Schengen area: Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia (debate)

F. MOGHERINI - High Representative of EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy - J. HAHN - EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy & Enlargement Negotiations - and C. STYLIANIDES - EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid & Crisis Management

Štefan FÜLE - European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy

Enlargement: policies, criteria and the EU's strategic interests (debate)

Enlargement report for Montenegro (debate)

Enlargement report for Turkey (debate)

Enlargement report for Kosovo (debate)

Enlargement report for Serbia (debate)

Enlargement report for Bosnia and Herzegovina (debate)

Enlargement report for Iceland (debate)

Vladimír BILČÍK (EPP, SK) and Viola VON CRAMON-TAUBADEL (Greens/EFA, DE), Rapporteurs hold a joint press conference in Strasbourg on their 2021 reports on Serbia and Kosovo.

Press conference by Vladimír BILČÍK (EPP, SK) and Viola VON CRAMON-TAUBADEL (Greens/EFA, DE), Rapporteurs on 2021 reports on Serbia and Kosovo

MEPs debate the outcome of the 23-24 June EU summit with European Council President Charles Michel and Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič. MEPs discuss the decision of Heads of state to grant EU candidate status to Ukraine and to the Republic of Moldova, the enlargement to Western Balkans, the prices of energy, the creation of a European political community and the outcome of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 23-24 June 2022: extracts from the debate

MEPs assess the political situation Kosovo. Opening statements by Viola VON CRAMON-TAUBADEL (Greens/EFA, DE), Rapporteur and by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management.

2021 Report on Kosovo: opening statements by Viola VON CRAMON-TAUBADEL (Greens/EFA, DE), Rapporteur, and by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management

MEPs assess the political situation in Serbia. Opening statements by Vladimír BILČÍK (EPP, SK), Rapporteur and by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management.

2021 Report on Serbia: opening statements by Vladimír BILČÍK (EPP, SK), Rapporteur and by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management

During the plenary session in Strasbourg, MEPs assess the political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Opening statements by Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur and by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management

2021 Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina: opening statements by Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur and by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management

MEPs and the European Commission review together the latest developments in the Western Balkans and assess the political situation in three accession countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Serbia. Extracts from the debates.

EU enlargement to Western Balkans - Political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Serbia: extracts from the debates

MEPs and members of parliaments from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Moldova, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine debate the future prospect of EU enlargement in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Opening remarks by David McALLISTER (EPP,DE), Chair of the AFET Committee and by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

EU enlargement policy in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Opening remarks by David McALLISTER (EPP,DE), Chair of the AFET Committee and by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

EU and Western Balkan leaders meet in Brussels ahead of the June European Council meeting. Leaders discuss progress on EU integration and the challenges stemming from Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

EU-Western Balkans leaders' meeting: arrival and doorstep by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

&lt;p>EU and Western Balkan leaders meet in Brussels ahead of the June European Council meeting. Leaders discuss progress on EU integration and the challenges stemming from Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.&lt;/p>

Although EU-Turkey relations have improved slightly recently, MEPs are worried about the continued deterioration of fundamental rights and rule of law in the country. MEPs are also expected to welcome Turkey’s willingness to act as a mediator in the Russian war against Ukraine and to stress that it is vitally important that the EU and Turkey cooperate well on foreign and security policy. MEPs raise the issue of Turkey’s president being opposed to Finland and Sweden’s accession to NATO. Closing statements by Nacho SÁNCHEZ AMOR (S&D, ES), rapporteur and Olivier VARHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement.

Report on Turkey: closing statements by Nacho SÁNCHEZ AMOR (S&D, ES), rapporteur and Olivier VARHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

On the 25th May, Roberta METSOLA, EP President participates to the 2022 edition of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. She talks about EU enlargement.

World Economic Forum 2022 - European Unity in a Disordered World? - Part 1: Speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

MEPs debate on the prosecution of opposition and detention of trade union leaders in Belarus. Closing statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

Prosecution of opposition and detention of trade union leaders in Belarus: closing statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

MEPs debate on the prosecution of opposition and detention of trade union leaders in Belarus.

Prosecution of opposition and detention of trade union leaders in Belarus: MEPs debate

In two resolutions, MEPs are set to warn that the enlargement process could potentially have historically important implications for security in Europe. The draft reports, to be put to a vote on Thursday, assess the progress made by Albania towards EU membership. They urge the Council to officially start accession negotiations with the country, pointing to the geostrategic context of relations with Russia and its aggression against Ukraine. Closing statements by Isabel SANTOS (S&D, PT), rapporteur and Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice.

2021 Report on Albania: closing statements by Isabel SANTOS (S&D, PT), rapporteur and Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

In two resolutions, MEPs are set to warn that the enlargement process could potentially have historically important implications for security in Europe. The draft reports, to be put to a vote on Thursday, assess the progress made by Albania towards EU membership. They urge the Council to officially start accession negotiations the country, pointing to the geostrategic context of relations with Russia and its aggression against Ukraine.

Report on Albania 2021: MEPs debate

In two resolutions, MEPs are set to warn that the enlargement process could potentially have historically important implications for security in Europe. The draft reports, to be put to a vote on Thursday, assess the progress made by Albania towards EU membership. They urge the Council to officially start accession negotiations with the county, pointing to the geostrategic context of relations with Russia and its aggression against Ukraine.

2021 Report on Albania: opening statements by Isabel SANTOS (S&D, PT), rapporteur and Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

In two resolutions, MEPs are set to warn that the enlargement process could potentially have historically important implications for security in Europe. The draft reports, to be put to a vote on Thursday, assess the progress made by North Macedonia towards EU membership. They urge the Council to officially start accession negotiations with both countries, pointing to the geostrategic context of relations with Russia and its aggression against Ukraine. Closing statements by Ilhan KYUCHYUK (Renew, BG), rapporteur and Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice.

2021 Report on North Macedonia: closing statements by Ilhan KYUCHYUK (Renew, BG), rapporteur and Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

In two resolutions, MEPs are set to warn that the enlargement process could potentially have historically important implications for security in Europe. The draft reports, to be put to a vote on Thursday, assess the progress made by North Macedonia towards EU membership. They urge the Council to officially start accession negotiations with both countries, pointing to the geostrategic context of relations with Russia and its aggression against Ukraine.

Showing 3 audios results for ""Enlargement""

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