7/26/2019 EU Enlargment

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Enlargement

Accessionnegotiations

Features

focus on the conditions and timing of the candidate’s adoption, implementation and application of EU rules

these rules (also known as “acquis” , French for  “that which has been agreed” ) are not negotiable

Negotiations are conducted individually with each candidate

the pace depends on each country’s progress in meeting the requirements

Support from civil society is essential in this process.

Negotiating sessions are held at the level of ministers or deputies

the whole body of EU law is d ivided into “chapters” 

Steps

I. screening 

identify areas in need of alignment in the legislation, institutions or practices of a candidate country.

Commission establishes a “screening report”  for each chapter and each country

“nothing is agreed until everything is agreed” 

II. Reporting and monitoring annual strategy papers and individual country progress reports

Monitoring continues until accession

III. Accession Treaty is signed 

IV. the candidate country becomes an “Acceding State” 

can comment on draft EU proposals, communications, recommendations or initiatives

acquires “active observer status”  on EU bodies and agencies

is entitled to speak, but not to vote

V. The accession state becomes a Member State.

Assistance for membership

 A. EU provides support to the countries in their preparations for EU accession

B. Candidates often need to carry out significant reforms to implement EU rules

set up new bodiesindependent competition authority

food-standards agency

restructure existing institutions

de-militarizing the police

upgrading environmental and n uclear-safety watchdogs

giving prosecutors more autonomy in combating corruption

C. These reforms usually imply major investments in know-how and funds

D. The EU also promotes strategies to boost public understanding of the accession process

dialogue between the EU countries and candidate countries at the level of civil society

E. Strengthening institutional capacity or “institution building” 

developing the structures or training the staff responsible for applying EU rules in the candidate country

 Advice on implementing the acquis is often provided via “Twinning”  arrangements

F. Helping them to upgrade their infrastructure

building solid-waste disposal plants

improving transport networks

G. Candidate countries are allowed to participate in EU programmes

 Areas of public health or research

may also receive grants and loans from international financial institutions

H. “Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance” (IPA): EU new financing instrument 

strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law

reform public administration

carry out economic reforms

promote respect for human as well as minority rights and gender eq ualitysupport the development of civil society and advance regional co-operation

contribute to sustainable development and poverty reduction

EU Enlargement II.mmap - 04/12/2008 -