Enlargement of the European Union : in view of membership

Conditions of membership
There are several conditions for becoming a member of the European Union :

* a European identity (being a geographic, economic and cultural part of the continent of Europe),
* a democratic political regime which respects human rights,
* an open and competitive market economy,
* acceptance of the Community's juridical code, i.e. the set of principles, rules and goals that make up the European Union.
* compliance with the common trade policy, common customs tariffs, the community customs code,
repeal of all previous bilateral agreements with the European Union, withdrawal from the European Free Trade Association Convention.

Procedure for joining
the governments of candidate countries apply for admission;
the member states meet in Council and vote, after having consulted the European Commission and after a verdict of conformity from the European Parliament; the vote must be unanimous;
the conditions for membership are stipulated in an agreement passed between the member states and the applicant state. This agreement must be ratified by all states concerned in accordance with their respective constitutions (referendum or vote in Parliament).
Reform of community institution structures
This reform is a prerequisite to the enlargement of the European Union beyond the fifteen member states. It was negotiated in the course of preparing the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference prescribed by the Maastricht treaty, in view of its own revision. The purpose is to improve the construction and development of the European Union: weaknesses that have shown up since the Treaty on European Union went into effect in November 1993, reform of institutions, conditions for extension of membership to other countries...

Where does enlargement stand ?
Cyprus and Malta applied for membership in July 1990.
In December 1994, at the Essen European Council, the European Union member states decided that the next stage of enlargement would concern these countries. Negotiations are to begin six months after the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference.
The countries of Central and eastern Europe: in 1993 the member states began envisaging the membership of the six countries of this zone. In 1994, the European Council began preparing this membership by initiating an ongoing, structured dialogue between member-state governments and those of the Central and eastern European countries. A White Paper, published by the European Commission in 1995, set out a number of practical steps for bringing these countries into the internal Market. The PHARE program in particular provides financial support to this phase of economic integration.
On 12 June 1995, the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) signed an agreement making them associate members of the European Union, thereby becoming part of the trial-membership plan drawn up for the Central and eastern European countries at the Essen European Concil. The Free Trade agreement went into effect 1 January 1995, thus reinforcing the process.
On 15 June 1995, Slovenia concluded an agreement making it an associate member of the European Union as part of the trial-membership plan for the countries of Central and eastern Europe.
Turkey: after the rejection of Turkey's candidacy in 1989, talks were reopened in February 1992. A customs union was agreed which went into effect on 1 January 1996. The agreements expressly mention the possibility of Turkey joining the European Union at some future time. Approval by the European Parliament is required.