Illustration charting the successive stages in the enlargement of the European Union, from the ‘Community of the Six' to the ‘Union of the Fifteen'.

Map showing the surface area, population and per capita gross domestic product of the European Union Member States and candidate countries in the year 2000.

Map illustrating the European Union’s changing composition following the successive enlargements of the European Communities, from the six founding countries to the Union of 28 Member States. This map also shows the candidate countries currently in accession negotiations, the other candidate countries and the potential candidates.

Chronological table on Member States and EU applicant countries showing the date of the agreements preceding accession (Association or Europe Agreements) as well as the various stages in the admission process.

Chronological table on Member States of the European Free-Trade Association (EFTA) showing the date of their accession or withdrawal from the organisation, as well as the date of the free-trade agreements concluded between them and the European Economic Community (EEC) [to become the European Community (EC) after the Treaty on European Union came into force on 1 November 1993].

The flags of the 25 Member States of the European Union after enlargement on 1 May 2004.

Membre du Parlement européen et président de la section française du Mouvement européen, Jean-Louis Bourlanges explique dans cet article comment, au sein des institutions de l'Union européenne, le principe de l'égalité entre les citoyens complète et corrige le principe de l'égalité entre les États membres dans une recherche empirique d'équilibre entre petits et grands pays.

Vice-président de la Commission européenne de 1985 à 1994, Henning Christophersen plaide dans cet article pour l’introduction du vote à la double majorité (des États et des citoyens) au sein du Conseil comme moyen pour préserver l’équilibre entre petits et grands États au sein d’une Union élargie à davantage de petits membres.

Le 4 juillet 2000, le quotidien Luxemburger Wort résume les différentes contributions des intervenants au colloque sur le sujet "Grands et petits États dans l'Union européenne: collision ou coalition?" organisé par la représentation de la Commission européenne au Luxembourg dans la capitale du Grand-Duché.

Le 16 octobre 2000, le quotidien français Le Figaro commente le désaccord qui s'est manifesté entre grands et petits États membres lors du Conseil européen de Biarritz des 13 et 14 octobre au sujet de la composition de la Commission et de la repondération des voix au sein du Conseil dans une future Union élargie.

Le 24 avril 2003, le quotidien français Le Monde analyse les points de divergence entre grands et petits pays dans les discussions menées au sein de la Convention européenne sous la présidence de Valéry Giscard d’Estaing.

Le 7 mars 2003, le journal luxembourgeois Le Quotiden commente les efforts du Premier ministre luxembourgeois Jean-Claude Juncker pour rassembler autour d’une position commune ses homologues des petits États membres de l’Union européenne à la veille du Conseil européen de Bruxelles des 20 et 21 mars.

Le 10 mai 2003, le quotidien français Le Monde analyse la controverse entre les grands et les petits États membres de l’Union européenne au sujet de leur représentation au sein de l’organisation.

Dans un article paru dans le mensuel français Le Monde diplomatique en avril 2004, Jean-Claude Boyer, professeur émérite à l’Institut d’études européennes de l’université Paris-VIII, relativise l’importance du clivage par la taille entre les États membres de l’Union européenne – qui porterait exclusivement sur les questions institutionnelles — et accorde plus d’importance à d’autres clivages relatifs aux enjeux économiques, politiques et sociaux de la construction européenne.

On 19 December 1961, the European Parliamentary Assembly unanimously adopts the report drawn up on behalf of the Political Committee on the political and institutional aspects of accession to or association with the European Economic Community (EEC).

In its preliminary Opinion, submitted to the Council on 29 September 1967, concerning the applications for accession to the European Communities from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark and Norway, the Commission reiterates the conditions that each of the countries must fulfil, with particular reference to the acquis communautaire, the body of Community legislation adopted hitherto, and compliance with the economic criteria. In particular, the United Kingdom must restore a sustainable balance in its economy and its balance of payments and adjust the role of sterling so that the pound may be integrated into a Community monetary system.

Meeting in the Hague on 1 and 2 December 1969, the Heads of State or Government of the six Member States of the European Communities reaffirm their agreement on the principle of enlargement, provided that all ‘applicant countries accept the Treaties and their political finality, the decisions taken since the entry into force of the Treaties and the options made in the sphere of development.’

On 5 April 1977, the Presidents of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission of the European Communities sign a joint declaration in Luxembourg affirming that they will do their utmost to protect the fundamental rights enshrined in both in the constitutions of the Member States and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

On 8 April 1978, the European Council meeting in Copenhagen declares that respect for and maintenance of representative democracy and human rights in each Member State are essential elements of membership of the European Communities.

In its Opinion of 23 May 1979 on the application submitted by Greece for accession to the European Communities, the Commission recalls that the principles of pluralist democracy and respect for human rights form part of the common heritage of the peoples of the States which constitute the European Communities and are therefore essential elements for membership of the said Communities.

The Maastricht European Council of 9 and 19 December 1991 recalls that the Treaty on European Union provides that any European State whose systems of Government are founded on the principle of democracy may apply to become members of the Union.

Submitted to the Lisbon European Council of 26 and 27 June 1992 and annexed to the Presidency’s Conclusions, the European Commission report ‘Europe and the Challenge of Enlargement’ lists the conditions for accession to the European Union which applicant countries must satisfy and warns about conditions which must be fulfilled to safeguard the effectiveness of an enlarged Union.

The Copenhagen European Council of 21 and 22 June 1993 defines the economic and political conditions for accession to the European Union.

Group photo taken during the Copenhagen European Council of 21 and 22 June 1993. In the front row: Helmut Kohl, Federal Chancellor of Germany; François Mitterrand, President of the French Republic; Margrethe II, Queen of Denmark; Henrik, Prince of Denmark; Ingrid, Princess of Denmark; and Konstantinos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece. In the second row: Felipe González, President of the Spanish Government; John Major, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; Jean-Luc Dehaene, Prime Minister of Belgium; Aníbal Cavaco Silva, Prime Minister of Portugal; Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Prime Minister of Denmark; and Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, President of the Italian Council of Ministers. In the third row: Jacques Santer, Prime Minister of Luxembourg; Albert Reynolds, Prime Minister of Ireland; Edouard Balladur, Prime Minister of France; and Ruud Lubbers, Prime Minister of the Netherlands. In the fourth row: Dick Spring, Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs; Jacques Poos, Luxembourg Minister for Foreign Affairs; and Jacques Delors, President of the European Commission.

Compliance with the common principles set out in Article 6(1) of the Treaty on European Union constitutes a condition for any State wishing to accede to the European Union. In this communication, dated 15 October 2003, the European Commission reviews the implementing procedures laid down in Article 7 with a view to ensuring compliance with those principles, as well as the tangible means of action available to the Union’s institutions.

On 6 October 2004, given that Turkey sufficiently fulfils the Copenhagen political criteria and provided that it brings into force any outstanding legislation, the European Commission recommends the opening of accession negotiations with Turkey.

In an article published on 9 December 1999 in the French daily newspaper Le Monde, Alain Lamassoure, Member of the European Parliament, argues that the ‘European’ nature of a country as a condition for accession to the European Union should only be assessed according to the criterion of geography, independently of historical, religious or cultural considerations, with the aim of establishing objective limits to the enlargement of the European Union.

On the eve of the European Union–Western Balkans Summit, due to be held in Thessaloniki on 21 June 2003, the French daily newspaper Le Figaro reports on the Fifteen’s desire to support the possible accession of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro on the condition that the accession criteria are strictly respected and by initially encouraging the stability and association programme.

On 6 January 2005, Ferdinando Riccardi, Editor-in-Chief of Agence Europe in Brussels, draws attention to the European Parliament’s demands relating to Turkey’s accession to the European Union resulting, in particular, from the Copenhagen political criteria.

In this interview, Charles Rutten, former Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the European Communities, discusses the negotiations on the Association Agreements between the EEC and Greece and Turkey and recalls the position of the United States on this subject.

On 8 February 2000, a few days before the official opening of accession negotiations with six new applicant countries (Helsinki Group), the European Commission issues a press release recalling the various stages of the accession procedure.

On 29 September 1967, the Commission, not being in possession of all the information that is required if it is to deliver the Opinion provided for by the Treaties, delivers a preliminary Opinion on the applications for accession to the European Communities submitted by the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark and Norway.

On 1 October 1969, the Commission, updating its Opinion of 29 September 1967, delivers a new Preliminary Opinion on the applications for accession to the European Communities submitted by the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark and Norway.

On 19 January 1972, the European Commission delivers a favourable opinion in response to applications from Denmark, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom for membership of the European Communities.

On 22 January 1972, the Council of the European Communities decides that Denmark, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom may become members of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) and sets out the conditions of its accession.

On 22 January 1972, the Council of the European Communities decides to accept the applications for accession of Denmark, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom to the European Economic Community (EEC) and to the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC).

On 22 January 1972, in Brussels, the Danish Delegation - comprising (from left to right) Ivar Norgaard, Minister for Foreign Economic Relations, Jens Otto Krag, Prime Minister, and Jens Otto Christensen, Secretary for External Economic Affairs at the Foreign Ministry - sign Denmark's Treaty of Accession to the European Communities.

On 22 January 1972, in Brussels, Patrick Hillery, Irish Foreign Minister (on the left) and Jack Lynch, Prime Minister (on the right), sign Ireldand's Treaty of Accession to the European Communities.

On 22 January 1972 in Brussels, the British Delegation signs the Treaty of Accession to the European Communities. From left to Right: Sir Alec Douglas-Home, Foreign Minister, Edward Heath, Prime Minister, and Geoffrey Rippon, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Head of the accession negotiations.

On 1 January 1973, the accession of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom brings the number of Member States of the European Community to nine.

In its Opinion of 23 May 1979 on the application submitted by Greece for accession to the European Communities, the Commission recalls that the principles of pluralist democracy and respect for human rights form part of the common heritage of the peoples of the States which constitute the European Communities and are therefore essential elements for membership of the said Communities.

On 24 May 1979, the Council of the European Communities decides that Greece may become a member of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) and sets out the conditions of its accession.

On 24 May 1979, the Council of the European Communities decides to accept the application for admission of Greece to the European Economic Community (CEE) and to the European Atomic Energy Community (CEEA).

On 28 May 1979 in Athens, Konstantinos Karamanlis signs the Treaty relating to the Accession of the Hellenic Republic to the European Communities.

On 31 May 1985, the European Commission delivers a favourable opinion on the applications for accession to the European Communities by Portugal and Spain.

On 11 June 1985, the Council of the European Communities sets the conditions for Spain and Portugal’s accession to the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC).

On 11 June 1985, the Council of the European Communities decides to accept the applications for admission of Spain and Portugal to the European Economic Community (EEC) and to the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC).

On 12 June 1985, in Madrid and Lisbon, the Heads of State or Government of the Ten and those of Spain and Portugal sign the Treaty of Accession of Spain and Portugal to the European Economic Community (EEC) and to the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC).

On 12 June 1985, in Madrid, Spain signed the Treaty of Accession to the European Communities. The Spanish signatories are the Foreign Minister, Fernando Morán (on the left), and the Prime Minister, Felipe González (on the right).

On 12 June 1985, in Lisbon, the Portuguese Prime Minister, Mario Soares, and his Foreign Minister, Jaime Gama, sign the Accession Treaty between Portugal and the European Communities.

On 1 January 1981, the accession of Greece brings the number of Member States of the European Communities to ten. On 1 January 1986, the accession of Portugal and Spain brings the number of Member Countries in the European Communities up to twelve.

On 19 April 1994, the Commission of the European Communities delivers a favourable opinion on the accession of Austria, Finland, Norway and Sweden to the European Union.

On 4 May 1994, the European Parliament adopts four legislative resolutions in order to give its assent to the applications submitted by Norway, Austria, Finland and Sweden for accession to the European Union. This is the legislative resolution on Austria’s application for accession.

On 16 May 1994, the Council of the European Union agrees to the accession of Norway, Austria, Finland and Sweden to the European Union.

On 24 June 1994, in Corfu, the representatives of the Twelve and those of Austria, Finland, Norway and Sweden sign their respective Treaties of Accession to the European Union.

On 24 June 1994, in Corfu, Franz Vranitzky, Chancellor of Austria, signs the Treaty of Accession of his country to the European Union. From left to right: Ulrich Stacher, Director-General of the Federal Chancellery (Prime Minister’s Office) in Vienna, Manfred Scheich, Permanent Representative of Austria to the European Union, Franz Vranitzky, Austrian Federal Chancellor, and Alois Mock, Austrian Foreign Minister.

On 24 June 1994, at the Corfu Summit, the representatives of Sweden sign the Swedish Act of Accession to the European Union (from left to right): Frank Belfrage (Secretary of State for European Affairs), Margaretha af Ugglas (Minister for Foreign Affairs), Carl Bildt (Prime Ministers) and Ulf Dinkelspiel (Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade).

On 24 June 1994, the first day of the Corfu European Council, (from left to right) Veli Sundbäck, Finnish State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Pertti Salolainen, Finnish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Trade, Esko Aho, Finnish Prime Minister, and Heikki Haavisto, Finnish Foreign Minister, sign Finland’s Treaty of Accession to the European Union.

On 1 January 1995, the accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden increases the number of Member States of the European Union to 15.

On 9 and 10 December 1994, the Essen European Council defines a strategy to prepare for the accession of the ten associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs) to the European Union on the basis of the Europe Agreements and of the structured relations with the EU institutions.

On 15 and 16 December 1995, the Madrid European Council confirms the need to make sound preparations for enlargement on the basis of the criteria laid down in Copenhagen and as part of an intensified pre-accession strategy in order to establish the conditions for the gradual, harmonious integration of those States, particularly through the development of the market economy, the adjustment of their administrative structures and the creation of a stable economic and monetary environment.

Volume I of the European Commission Communication of 16 July 1997 entitled Agenda 2000 for a stronger and wider Union.

Volume II of the Communication Agenda 2000, presented on 16 July 1997 by the European Commission, relating to the reinforcement of the pre-accession strategy.

On 16 July 1997, the European Commission delivers its opinion on the applications for accession to the European Union in its Communication Agenda 2000, which gives the summaries and conclusions of these opinions.

This article, published on 23 October 1997 in the French daily newspaper Le Figaro, examines the various aspects involved in the enlargement of the European Union to include the countries of Eastern Europe under Agenda 2000, presented in July of that year by the European Commission.

The Luxembourg European Council of 12 and 13 December 1997 decides to launch a comprehensive, inclusive and ongoing enlargement process, encompassing the ten countries applying for accession to the Union from Central and Eastern Europe, plus Cyprus. In addition, it decides to begin, in the spring of 1998, accession negotiations with Cyprus, Hungary, Poland, Estonia, the Czech Republic and Slovenia.

Timetable for negotiations on accession to the European Union, concerning the 31 chapters of the Community acquis, started on 31 March 1998 with the six countries of the Luxembourg group (Hungary, Poland, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Cyprus), continued on 15 February 2000 with the six countries of the Helsinki group (Romania, the Slovak Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Malta), and brought to a close in December 2002 with 10 countries (Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia) and in December 2004 with Bulgaria and Romania.

On 10 and 11 December 1999, the Helsinki European Council decides to open accession negotiations with Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia and Romania. By stating that, ‘in the negotiations, each candidate State will be judged on its own merits’, the European Council consolidates the principle of differentiation.

Recalling that the enlargement process is irreversible, the Gothenburg European Council of 15 and 16 June 2001 considers that, provided that progress towards meeting the accession criteria continues at the same pace, the accession negotiations should be completed for those applicant countries that are ready by the end of 2002, the objective being that they will participate in the 2004 European Parliament elections as Member States.

On 8 November 2002, some weeks prior to the Copenhagen European Council of 12 and 13 December that brought to a close the accession negotiations with ten applicant countries, Eneko Landáburu, Director-General of Enlargement at the European Commission, delivers a speech on the reasons behind and the special nature of the fifth enlargement of the European Union.

The Copenhagen European Council, meeting on 12 and 13 December 2002, concludes negotiations with 10 countries applying for accession to the European Union and fixes the date for their accession at 1 May 2004. Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia become accession countries.

Group photo taken at the Copenhagen European Council held on 12 and 13 December 2002.

On the day after the Copenhagen European Council meeting of 12 and 13 December 2002, the British daily newspaper The Guardian reacts to the conclusions of the Council Presidency concerning the enlargement of the Union to encompass ten new Member States and devotes special attention to the issue of Turkey’s application.

On 9 April 2003, the European Parliament adopts ten legislative resolutions in order to give its assent to the application of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia to become members of the European Union. This is the legislative resolution concerning the accession application of the Czech Republic.

On 19 February 2003, the European Commission delivers a favourable opinion on the accession to the European Union of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia.

On 14 April 2003, the Council decides to accept the applications for admission to the European Union of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia.

Treaty concerning the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovak Republic to the European Union, signed in Athens on 16 April 2003.

Treaty of Accession of the new Member States to the European Union (16 April 2003).

Group photo taken at the signing ceremony of the Treaty of Accession of the ten new Member States to the European Union held on 16 April 2003 in Athens.

Déclaration d'Athènes du Conseil européen informel, du 16 avril 2003, célébrant le cinquième élargissement de l'Union européenne.

General view of the room where the Accession Treaty of the ten new European Union Member States was signed with the Heads of State or Government on either side of the table. The signing took place in the Stoa of Attalos in Athens, on 16 April 2003.

On 16 April 2003, in Athens, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Tassos Papadopoulos, and his Foreign Minister, Georgios Iacovou, sign the Treaty of Accession of Cyprus to the European Union.

On 16 April 2003, in Athens, the President of the Czech Republic, Václav Klaus, and his Prime Minister, Vladimír Spidla, sign the Treaty of Accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union.

On 16 April 2003, in Athens, the President of Estonia, Arnold Ruutel, and his Foreign Minister, Kristiina Ojuland, sign the Treaty of Accession of Estonia to the European Union.

On 16 April 2003, in Athens, the Prime Minister of Hungary, Péter Medgyessy, and his Foreign Minister, László Kovacs, sign the Treaty of Accession of Hungary to the European Union.

On 16 April 2003, in Athens, the President of Latvia, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, and her Prime Minister, Einars Repse, sign the Treaty of Accession of Latvia to the European Union.

On 16 April 2003, in Athens, the Prime Minister of Lithuania, Algirdas Mykolas Brazauskas, and his Foreign Minister, Antanas Valionis, sign the Treaty of Accession of Lithuania to the European Union.

On 16 April 2003, in Athens, the Prime Minister of Malta, Eddie Fenech Adami, and his Foreign Minister, Joe Borg, sign the Treaty of Accession of Malta to the European Union.

On 16 April 2003, in Athens, the Prime Minister of Poland, Leszek Miller, and his Foreign Minister, Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz, sign the Treaty of Accession of Poland to the European Union.

On 16 April 2003, in Athens, the President of Slovakia, Rudolf Schuster, and his Prime Minister, Mikuláš Dzurinda, sign the Treaty of Accession of the Slovak Republic to the European Union.

On 16 April 2003, in Athens, the President of Slovenia, Janez Drnovšek, and his Prime Minister, Anton Rop, sign the Treaty of Accession of Slovenia to the European Union.

In this article, the French daily newspaper Le Monde summarises the most important addresses given at the ceremony held to mark the signing, on 16 April in Athens, of the Treaty of Accession to the European Union of 10 new Member States.

The German daily newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung describes the atmosphere surrounding the official ceremony held on 16 April 2003, in Athens, to mark the signing of the Treaty of Accession to the European Union by Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Interview with Günter Verheugen, European Commissioner for Enlargement since September 1999.

The day following the signing of the Accession Treaty by the ten new Member States on 16 April 2003 in Athens, the French daily newspaper Libération emphasises the special nature of the fifth enlargement of the European Union. With a view to shake off their Communist past for good and become part of free Europe once again, the new democracies of Eastern Europe come to terms with a difficult transitional period involving the adaptation of their institutions and their legal and economic systems.

During the year leading up to the accession to the European Union of the 10 new Member States due to take place on 1 May 2004, the European Parliament and the Council welcome observers sent by those countries with a view to preparing their political and administrative staff for the Community structure.

On 11 March 2004, the European Parliament adopts a resolution on the comprehensive monitoring report of the Commission on the state of preparedness for EU membership of ten new member States.

A few days before the historic accession of 10 new Member States to the European Union on 1 May 2004, Eneko Landaburu, Director-General of Enlargement at the European Commission, talks to the Belgian daily newspaper La Libre Belgique.

On the eve of the enlargement of the European Union to encompass 25 Member States, the French daily newspaper Le Monde devotes its editorial to an event which already constitutes a major landmark in the history of European integration: the reunification of the Old Continent.

Published in the French daily newspaper Le Monde at a time when the European Union is preparing to expand to encompass 25 Member States, this article tackles the problem of the strategy which the EU should pursue in order to continue to pacify its environment. Given the risks of dilution which constant enlargement implies, the EU will have to devise new types of partnerships with its immediate neighbours.

On 30 April 2004, the leader in the daily newspaper Luxemburger Wort welcomes the historic enlargement of the European Union to encompass 25 Member States and retraces the steps accomplished by the ten new Member States along the road to accession.

On the eve of the enlargement of the European Union to incude ten new Member States, scheduled for 1 May 2004, the Luxembourg Prime Minister, Jean-Claude Juncker, grants an interview to the daily newspaper Luxemburger Wort. Weighing up the risks and opportunities inherent in enlargement, he believes that it will benefit Europe, including small countries like Luxembourg.

During an interview granted to the Belgian daily newspaper Le Soir, Bronislaw Geremek, former Polish Foreign Minister, analyses the implications of and challenges inherent in the fifth enlargement of the European Union and declares his opposition to an unending expansion of the organisation.

Archduke Otto von Habsburg, President of the International Paneuropean Union, declares his support for the enlargement of the European Union. A former Member of the European Parliament, the Archduke has never ceased to fight for European unification.

In this interview, Jacques F. Poos, Member of the European Parliament and former Luxembourg Foreign Minister, comments on the implications of the fifth enlargement of the European Union, due to take place on 1 May 2004, and focuses on the question of Turkey’s application.

On 1 May 2004, the accession of ten States brings the number of Member States in the European Union up to twenty-five.

On 22 February 2005, the European Commission delivers a favourable opinion on the accession to the European Union of Bulgaria and Romania.

On 13 April 2005, the European Parliament adopts a Legislative Resolution in order to give its assent to the application by Bulgaria to become a member of the European Union.

On 13 April 2005, the European Parliament adopts a Legislative Resolution in order to give its assent to the application by Romania to become a member of the European Union.

On 25 April 2005, the Council decides to accept the applications for admission of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union.

On 25 April 2005, in Luxembourg, Bulgaria and Romania sign the Treaty of Accession to the European Union. This Treaty enters into force on 1 January 2007.

On 25 April 2005, representatives of Bulgaria sign the Treaty of Accession to the European Union in Luxembourg. In the process of signing are, seated from left to right, Georgi Parvanov, Bulgarian President, and Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. Standing behind them are Solomon Passy, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Meglena Kuneva, Minister of European Affairs.

On 25 April 2005, representatives of Romania sign the Treaty of Accession to the European Union in Luxembourg. In the process of signing are, seated from left to right, Mihai-Razvan Ungureanu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Leonard Orban, Romania’s Chief Negotiator with the EU. Standing behind them are President Traian Basescu and Prime Minister Calin Popescu-Taricean.

On 26 September 2006, the European Commission adopts its final monitoring report on the state of preparedness of Bulgaria and Romania for accession to the European Union (EU). Given the progress made, the Commission considers that these two countries will be in a position to assume the rights and obligations associated with their accession to the EU on 1 January 2007.

Following the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union on 1 January 2007, the edition of the Luxembourg weekly newspaper D’Lëtzebuerger Land of 5 January outlines the implications of this sixth enlargement for the Union and for these two countries.

With the accession of Bulgaria and Romania on 1 January 2007, the number of Member States of the European Union increases to 27.

In a statement by the European Union on Croatia dated 24 January 2000, the Council expects the new Croatian Government to meet the conditions necessary for a closer relationship with the Union with a view to Croatian integration into European structures.

On 19 and 20 June 2000, the Santa Maria da Feira European Council considers that the countries of the Western Balkans are potential applicants for accession. The European Union supports the Stabilisation and Association Process of the countries of the region by the provision of technical and economic assistance.

On 17 and 18 June 2004, the European Council recalls the Union’s objective to welcome Bulgaria and Romania as Member States in January 2007, reaffirms the Union’s commitment to the opening of accession negotiations with Turkey if, in December, it decides that the country fulfils the Copenhagen political criteria and recognises Croatia as an applicant country.

On 16 and 17 December 2004, the Brussels European Council looks forward to welcoming Bulgaria and Romania as Member States from January 2007 and calls on the Council to reach agreement with a view to the opening of the accession negotiations with Croatia on 17 March 2005 and with Turkey on 3 October 2005.

In this interview on 10 April 2005, Jean Asselborn, Luxembourg Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Union, gives his views on the implications of the possible opening of negotiations for Croatia’s accession to the European Union.

In this interview on 10 April 2005, Jean Asselborn, Luxembourg Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Union, gives his views on the implications of the possible opening with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) of negotiations for that country’s accession to the European Union.

In this interview on 10 April 2005, Jean Asselborn, Luxembourg Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Union, gives his views on the terms for Turkey’s accession to the European Union.

Dans un entretien accordé en décembre 2002 au quotidien espagnol El País, quelques jours avant le début de la présidence grecque de l'Union européenne, le ministre des Affaires étrangères de la Grèce, Georgios Papandreou, se prononce sur la possibilité d'une future adhésion de la Turquie à l'Union européenne et sur la connexion entre cette question et la résolution du conflit gréco-turque en Chypre.

Le 18 mars 2005, le quotidien français Le Monde se fait l’écho de la décision du Conseil de l’Union européenne de reporter l’ouverture des négociations d’adhésion avec la Croatie, prévue pour la veille, jusqu’à ce que le pays candidat prouve qu’il coopère pleinement avec le Tribunal pénal international pour l’ex-Yougoslavie (TPIY) de La Haye.

On 3 October 2005, the Council gives the go-ahead to the opening of accession negotiations with Croatia on the basis of a positive assessment of Croatia’s cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). This photograph shows Ivo Sanander, Croatian Prime Minister and Head of the Croatian Delegation, and Carla del Ponte, ICTY Prosecutor, at the press conference held following the opening of the Accession Conference in the margins of the Council.

In this interview, Catherine Lalumière, former French Junior Minister for European Affairs and former Secretary General of the Council of Europe, emphasises the political, economic, geostrategic and religious implications of Turkey’s possible accession to the European Union.

‘Welcome Croatia!’ In this drawing, the German cartoonist, Fritz Behrendt, portrays Croatia’s difficult journey towards the European Union.