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)

EU Enlargement - Western Balkans - 8th parliamentary term

Press conference on the 2021 reports on Serbia and 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

On the 14th September 2022, Ursula von der LEYEN, EC President, delivers her State of the European Union (SOTEU) speech in the European Parliament. This infoclip illustrates one of the main stake of the coming year: the future of the Europea Union. Following the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoe) which took place from May 2021 to May 2022, EU citizens have asked for a revision of the treaties and a reconstruction of the EU. Furthermore, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia have been granted the candidate status to join the EU, while discussions to enlarge the European Union to Western Balkans countries are ongoing.

Infoclip: Future of the European Union

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

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Enlargement

EU Enlargement - Western Balkans

EU Enlargement - Western Balkans (2019 - 2020)

EU Enlargement - Western Balkans - 8th parliamentary term

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Infoclip: Future of the European Union

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

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

2021 Report on Kosovo: opening statements by Viola VON CRAMON-TAUBADEL (Greens/EFA, DE), 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

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

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Press conference on the 2021 reports on Serbia and Kosovo

Press conference on the 2021 reports on Serbia and Kosovo

Press conference on the 2021 reports on Serbia and Kosovo

Press conference on the 2021 reports on Serbia and Kosovo

Press conference on the 2021 reports on Serbia and Kosovo

Press conference on the 2021 reports on Serbia and Kosovo

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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