In deze aflevering duiken we de Europese geschiedenis in om een belangrijke mijlpaal te vieren: de twintigste verjaardag van de grootste EU-uitbreiding ooit. Op 1 mei 2004 traden tien landen in het hart van Europa toe tot de EU, en kwamen er negen nieuwe officiële werktalen bij. Het was een heuglijk moment van eenheid en grenzeloze mogelijkheden.

De twintigste verjaardag van de grootste uitbreiding van de EU ooit

De Europese Unie is een politieke en economische unie van 27 landen. Daarnaast zijn er nog andere landen die een aanvraag hebben ingediend om tot de EU toe te treden. Momenteel zijn er negen kandidaat-lidstaten. Maar de weg naar het lidmaatschap is best lang en verre van eenvoudig.

De uitbreiding van de Europese Unie: hoe gaat dat in zijn werk?

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

De Europese Unie is een politieke en economische unie van 27 lidstaten. Sommige landen hebben een aanvraag ingediend om tot de EU toe te treden. Momenteel zijn er zeven kandidaat-lidstaten. Er zijn ook drie potentiële kandidaat-lidstaten. Toch is de weg naar het lidmaatschap best lang en verre van eenvoudig.

De uitbreiding van de Europese Unie: hoe werkt het?

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

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

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

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

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 Working group on Western Balkans  - Exchange of views with Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement on the state of play of the enlargement process with regard to Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia

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

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

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

Besluit over de EU-uitbreidingsstrategie - Westelijke Balkan (debat)

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

Uitbreiding en versterking van het Schengengebied: Bulgarije, Roemenië en Kroatië (debat)

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

Uitbreiding: beleid, criteria en de strategische belangen van de EU (debat)

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

Uitbreidingsverslag Montenegro (debat)

Enlargement report for Montenegro (debate)

Uitbreidingsverslag Turkije (debat)

Enlargement report for Turkey (debate)

Uitbreidingsverslag Kosovo (debat)

Enlargement report for Kosovo (debate)

Uitbreidingsverslag Servië (debat)

Enlargement report for Serbia (debate)

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

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

EP Plenary session - Deepening EU integration in view of future enlargement

EP Plenary session - Council and Commissions statements - 30 years of Copenhagen criteria - giving further impetus to EU enlargement policy

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - EU enlargement policy 2023

AFET - Presentation of the 2023 Enlargement Package and the new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans bythe Commissioner Olivér Várhely.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Oliver VARHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

AFET Interparliamentaryy Committee Meeting ' Moving the EU enlargement forward - 20 years since the Thessaloniki Declaration '

Minority Intergroup - Minority rights in the EU enlargement process

AFET - Exchange of views with Gert-Jan KOOPMAN, Director-General, European Commission, Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations

MEPs debate Kosovo’s work to secure candidate country status and urge Serbia and Kosovo to engage in the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue to make progress on this. Closing statements by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement and by Viola VON CRAMON-TAUBADEL (Greens/EFA,DE), Rapporteur.

2022 Report on Kosovo: closing statements by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement and by Viola VON CRAMON-TAUBADEL (Greens/EFA,DE), Rapporteur

MEPs debate Kosovo’s work to secure candidate country status and urge Serbia and Kosovo to engage in the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue to make progress on this. Opening statements by Viola VON CRAMON-TAUBADEL (Greens/EFA, DE), Rapporteur and by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement.

2022 Report on Kosovo: opening statements by Viola VON CRAMON-TAUBADEL (Greens/EFA, DE), Rapporteur and by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

MEPs debate the accession of Serbia to EU sanctions against Russia and welcome Kosovo's application for membership. Closing statements by Vladimír BILČÍK (EPP, SK), Rapporteur and by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement.

2022 Report on Serbia: closing statements by Vladimír BILČÍK (EPP, SK), Rapporteur and by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

MEPs debate the accession of Serbia to EU sanctions against Russia and welcome Kosovo's application for membership. Opening statements by Vladimír BILČÍK (EPP, SK), Rapporteur and by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement.

2022 Report on Serbia: opening statements by Vladimír BILČÍK (EPP, SK), Rapporteur and by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

MEPs debate how to avoid an escalation in hostilities that could have far-reaching implications for the East Africa region. Closing statement by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement.

Situation in Sudan: closing statement by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

MEPs debate how to avoid an escalation in hostilities that could have far-reaching implications for the East Africa region. Opening statement Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Situation in Sudan: opening statement by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

MEPs debate the challenges facing EU candidate country Moldova following recent street protests and warnings of a coup d’état. Closing statement by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement (for VPC/HR).

The challenges facing the Republic of Moldova: closing statement by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement (for VPC/HR)

MEPs debate the challenges facing EU candidate country Moldova following recent street protests and warnings of a coup d’état. Opening statement by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement (for VPC/HR).

The challenges facing the Republic of Moldova: opening statement by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement (for VPC/HR)

MEPs debate the aftermath of the protests that have rocked Georgia over a new “foreign influence” law. Closing statement by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement (for VPC/HR).

Situation in Georgia: closing statement by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement (for VPC/HR)

MEPs debate the aftermath of the protests that have rocked Georgia over a new “foreign influence” law. Opening statement by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement (for VPC/HR). This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Situation in Georgia: opening statement by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement (for VPC/HR)

Question Time to Commission - Strengthened EU enlargement policy to the Western Balkans. Questions & Answers (part 2) with Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement.

Question Time to Commission - Strengthened EU enlargement policy to the Western Balkans: Questions & Answers (part 3) with Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

Question Time to Commission - Strengthened EU enlargement policy to the Western Balkans: Questions & Answers (part 2) with Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

Question Time to Commission - Strengthened EU enlargement policy to the Western Balkans. Questions & Answers (part 1) with Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

Question Time to Commission - Strengthened EU enlargement policy to the Western Balkans: Questions & Answers (part 1) with 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. 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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