Potential enlargement of the European Union
{{Short description|Potential candidates for admission into the European Union}}
{{About|potential future enlargement|the past enlargement|Enlargement of the European Union}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=October 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Politics of the European Union}}
There are currently nine states recognised as candidates for membership of the European Union: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, and Ukraine.{{Cite web |title=Joining the EU |url=https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_en |access-date=16 December 2023 |website=ec.europa.eu}} Kosovo (the independence of which is not recognised by five EU member states) formally submitted its application for membership in 2022 and is considered a potential candidate by the European Union. Due to multiple factors, talks with Turkey are at an effective standstill since December 2016.
Six candidates are currently engaged in active negotiations: Montenegro (since 2012), Serbia (since 2014), Albania (since 2020), North Macedonia (since 2020), Moldova and Ukraine (since 2024). The most advanced stage of the negotiations, defined as meeting the interim benchmarks for negotiating chapters 23 and 24, after which the closing process for all chapters can begin, has only been reached by Montenegro.{{Cite web |last=Council of the European Union |date=26 June 2024 |title=Sixteenth meeting of the Accession Conference with Montenegro at Ministerial level (press release by the Council of the EU) |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/06/26/sixteenth-meeting-of-the-accession-conference-with-montenegro-at-ministerial-level |access-date=1 August 2024 |website=Consilium}} Montenegro's declared political goal is to complete its negotiations by the end of 2026, and achieve membership of the EU by 2028.{{Cite web |last1=Tatiana Marinova |last2=Simona-Alex Mihaleva |date=17 June 2024 |title=President Radev: Bulgaria Supports Montenegro's European Integration |url=https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/691717-president-radev-bulgaria-supports-montenegro-s-european-integration |access-date=1 August 2024 |website=BTA}}{{Cite web |format=video|author=Milojko Spajić|date=16 December 2024 |title=Press conference – Part 2 – Preliminary remarks by Milojko Spajić, Prime Minister of Montenegro, during the press conference following the EU-Montenegro Intergovernmental Conference on 16 December 2024 in Brussels|url=https://newsroom.consilium.europa.eu/permalink/258708|access-date=16 December 2024 |website=Consilium}}
The accession criteria are included in the Copenhagen criteria, agreed in 1993, and the Treaty of Maastricht (Article 49). Article 49 of the Maastricht Treaty (as amended) says that any {{qi|European state}} that respects the {{qi|principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law}}, may apply to join the EU. Whether a country is European or not is subject to political assessment by the EU institutions.{{Cite web |date=19 May 1998 |title=Legal questions of enlargement |url=http://www.europarl.eu.int/enlargement/briefings/23a2_en.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060321034825/http://www.europarl.eu.int/enlargement/briefings/23a2_en.htm |archive-date=21 March 2006 |access-date=9 July 2008 |website=The European Parliament |df=dmy-all}} Past enlargement since the foundation of the European Union as the European Economic Community by the Inner Six states in 1958Current Article 1 of the Treaty on European Union reads: {{qi|The Union shall be founded on the present Treaty and on the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Those two Treaties shall have the same legal value. The Union shall replace and succeed the European Community}}. brought total membership of the EU to twenty-eight, although as a result of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom, the current number of EU member states is twenty-seven.
Of the four major western European countries that are not EU members, Norway, Switzerland and Iceland have submitted membership applications in the past but subsequently frozen or withdrawn them, while the United Kingdom is a former member. Norway, Switzerland and Iceland, as well as Liechtenstein, participate in the EU Single Market and also in the Schengen Area, which makes them closely aligned with the EU; none, however, are in the EU Customs Union.
Current agenda and applicants{{anchor|Recognised candidates}}
[[File:European Union member states and candidates v2.svg|thumb|285x285px|
{{Legend|#003399|Current members (27)}}
{{Legend|#46a43b|Candidates negotiating (6)}}
{{Legend|#71f268|Candidates (2)}}
{{Legend|#ffd617|Applicant (1){{efn|Kosovo is also recognised as a potential candidate.}}}}
{{Legend|#da2131|Candidate with frozen negotiations (1)}}]]
As of 2025, the enlargement agenda of the European Union regards three distinct groups of states:
- Western Balkans: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia
- Association Trio: Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine
- Turkey
These states have all submitted applications for accession to the EU, which is the first step of a long multi-year process. They must subsequently negotiate the specific terms of their Treaty of Accession with the current EU member states, and align their domestic legislation with the accepted body of EU law (acquis communautaire), along with ensuring an appropriate level of implementation thereof, before joining.
There are other potential member states in Europe that are not formally part of the current enlargement agenda, either due to having a domestic political debate on potential membership, or having withdrawn a previous membership or application for membership. These other potential member states could be included on the enlargement agenda at some point of time in the future, if their foreign policy changes and paves the way for submitting an application, and EU subsequently recognises them as an applicant or candidate.
Historically the norm was for enlargements to consist of multiple entrants simultaneously joining the European Economic Community (1958–1993) and EU (since 1993). The only previous enlargements of a single state were the 1981 admission of Greece and the 2013 admission of Croatia. However, following the significant effect of the fifth enlargement in 2004, EU member states have decided that a more individualised approach will be adopted in the future, although the entry of pairs or small groups of countries may coincide.{{Cite web |title=European Union, Community Law And International Business Law |url=http://ecpd.org.rs/pdf/studies/Booklet_EU_Law.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110626095318/http://ecpd.org.rs/pdf/studies/Booklet_EU_Law.pdf |archive-date=26 June 2011 |access-date=20 November 2019 |website=European Center for Peace and Development |page=46}}
= Procedure to become an EU member state =
For an applicant to become a member state of the EU, several procedural steps need to get passed. These steps will move the status of the state from applicant (potential candidate) to candidate, and later again to a negotiating candidate. The status as a negotiating candidate is reached by the mutual signing of a negotiation framework at a first intergovernmental conference. The start of substantial negotiations with the EU, is subsequently marked by the opening of the first negotiating chapters at a second intergovernmental conference. Every 35 chapters of the accepted body of EU law (divided into 6 clusters) must be opened and closed during subsequent additional intergovernmental conferences, for a state to conclude the negotiations by the signing of an accession treaty.
After a reform in 2020, the 35 chapters have been divided into six main clusters, where all five chapters of the first cluster are supposed to be opened together at the same time. The opening of chapters, which after the reform occur with several chapters opened together cluster-wise, can only happen by a unanimous decision by the Council of the European Union once the screening procedure report has been completed for the specific chapters (outlining all needed legislative changes to comply with EU law), while there can also be set some "opening benchmarks" requiring a certain amount of legislative changes/implementation to be met even before the opening of the chapters. The closure of a chapter is done provisionally by a unanimous decision by the Council of the European Union once the state demonstrates to have implemented and aligned their domestic legislation with the EU law, for each specific chapter in concern.
There are no requirement for completion of the screening procedure for all 35 negotiating chapters, before the start of the first and second intergovernmental conference.{{Cite web |last=Alexandra Brzozowski |date=31 January 2024 |title=EU Commission to start screening process for Ukraine, Moldova after 'surprise' delay |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement-neighbourhood/news/eu-commission-to-start-screening-process-for-ukraine-moldova-after-surprise-delay |access-date=8 July 2024 |publisher=Euractiv}}
= Western Balkans =
{{Main|Strategy for the Western Balkans}}
{{See also|Accession of Slovenia to the European Union|Accession of Croatia to the European Union|Accession of Montenegro to the European Union|Accession of Serbia to the European Union|Accession of Albania to the European Union|Accession of North Macedonia to the European Union|Accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European Union|Accession of Kosovo to the European Union}}
{{EUWESTBALKANS}}
The 2003 European Council summit in Thessaloniki set the integration of the Western Balkans as a priority of EU expansion.
Slovenia was the first former Yugoslav country to join the EU in 2004, followed by Croatia in 2013.
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia have all been officially granted candidate status.{{Cite news |title=After Years Of Delay, North Macedonia, Albania Get OK To Begin EU Accession Talks |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/after-years-of-delay-north-macedonia-albania-get-ok-to-begin-eu-accession-talks/30507053.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022170806/https://www.rferl.org/a/after-years-of-delay-north-macedonia-albania-get-ok-to-begin-eu-accession-talks/30507053.html |archive-date=22 October 2020 |access-date=2020-03-28 |work=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=15 December 2022 |title='Huge, historic move': EU grants Bosnia and Herzegovina Candidate Status |url=https://sarajevotimes.com/huge-historic-move-eu-grants-bosnia-and-herzegovina-candidate-status |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=Sarajevo Times}} Kosovo, which is claimed by Serbia and not recognised by 5 EU states, applied on 14 December 2022 and is considered a potential candidate by the European Union.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-10 |title=Kosovo to apply for EU membership by end of 2022 |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/all/news/kosovo-to-apply-for-eu-membership-by-end-of-2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611073657/https://www.euractiv.com/section/all/news/kosovo-to-apply-for-eu-membership-by-end-of-2022 |archive-date=2022-06-11 |access-date=2022-06-11 |website=euractiv.com |language=en}}
Serbia and Montenegro, the most advanced candidates in their negotiation processes with the EU, may join the EU sometime between 2025 and 2030.{{Cite web |date=11 December 2017 |title=EU advances membership talks for Montenegro, Serbia |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/eu-advances-membership-talks-for-serbia-montenegro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004210856/https://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/eu-advances-membership-talks-for-serbia-montenegro |archive-date=4 October 2020 |access-date=24 August 2019 |website=Euractiv}}{{Cite news |last=Jozwiak |first=Rikard |date=Feb 5, 2018 |title=Serbia, Montenegro 'Could Potentially' Join EU In 2025 |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-western-balkans-strategy-serbia-montenegro-potentially-join-2025/29020904.html |access-date=21 October 2023 |publisher=RadioFreeEurope}}{{Cite news |date=28 August 2023 |title=EU must be ready to accept new members by 2030 |url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/08/28/eu-must-be-ready-to-accept-new-members-by-2030-charles-michel |work=euronews}} Montenegro's declared political goal is to complete its negotiations by the end of 2026, and achieve membership of the EU by 2028.
The European Council had endorsed starting negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia on 26 March 2020,{{Cite news |last=Staff |date=27 March 2020 |title=EU leaders give final OK to begin Albania, North Macedonia accession talks |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-leaders-give-final-approval-eu-membership-talks-macedonia-albania/30512156.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205120516/https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-leaders-give-final-approval-eu-membership-talks-macedonia-albania/30512156.html |archive-date=5 December 2020 |access-date=8 July 2020 |work=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty}} however, the negotiation process was blocked by Bulgaria for over two years.{{Cite web |title=Bulgaria Blocks North Macedonia's EU Accession Negotiations – Novinite.com – Sofia News Agency |url=https://www.novinite.com/articles/206448/Bulgaria+Blocks+North+Macedonia%E2%80%99s+EU+Accession+Negotiations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118221256/https://www.novinite.com/articles/206448/Bulgaria+Blocks+North+Macedonia%E2%80%99s+EU+Accession+Negotiations |archive-date=18 November 2020 |access-date=7 November 2020 |website=novinite.com}}{{Efn|Bulgaria demanded: {{qi|good neighbourly relations to be a criterion for the Republic of North Macedonia's membership in the EU; to use the official constitutional name of the Republic of North Macedonia instead of the short North Macedonia and the wording for the language should be the "official language" of the candidate country, not Macedonian.}}}} In June 2022 French President Emmanuel Macron submitted a compromise proposal which, if adopted by both countries, would pave the way for the immediate adoption of negotiating frameworks for North Macedonia and Albania by the EU Council and for the organisation of intergovernmental conferences with them.{{Cite news |title=Macron Says Compromise Found On EU Membership Talks For North Macedonia |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/macedonia-eu-membership-macron-compromise/31923556.html |access-date=2022-07-15 |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |language=en}} On 24 June 2022, Bulgaria's parliament approved the revised French proposal to lift the country's veto on opening EU accession talks with North Macedonia, with the Assembly of North Macedonia also doing so on 16 July 2022 allowing accession negotiations to begin. On the same day, the start of negotiations was set for 19 July 2022.{{Cite web |date=16 July 2022 |title=North Macedonia parliament OKs deal; EU talks start July 19 |url=https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-macron-bulgaria-constitutions-32b0ff86b80818f961a1da8827867620 |access-date=16 July 2022 |website=Associated Press}}
On 8 November 2023, the European Commission adopted a new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, with the aim of bringing them closer to the EU through offering some of the benefits of EU membership to the region in advance of accession. The Growth Plan provides €6 billion financial grants and loans for the entire region in return of implementation of structural reforms. Beside the core financial support of the growth plan, one of the additional embedded priority actions is granting access to the Single Euro Payments Area.{{Cite web |date=8 November 2023 |title=New Growth Plan for the Western Balkans |url=https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/enlargement-policy/new-growth-plan-western-balkans_en |access-date=19 June 2024 |publisher=European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR)}}
On 8 November 2023, the European Commission recommended opening negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is achieved. On 12 March 2024, the European Commission recommended opening EU membership negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, citing the positive results from important reforms the country enacted.{{Cite news |last=Sito-sucic |first=Daria |date=2024-03-12 |title=European Commission recommends opening EU membership talks with Bosnia |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/european-commission-recommend-eu-membership-talks-with-bosnia-says-eus-von-der-2024-03-12 |access-date=2024-03-12 |publisher=Reuters}}{{Cite news |last=Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations |date=2024-03-12 |title=Commission proposes to open EU accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and updates on progress made by Ukraine and Moldova |url=https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/news/commission-proposes-open-eu-accession-negotiations-bosnia-and-herzegovina-and-updates-progress-made-2024-03-12_en |access-date=2024-03-12 |publisher=European Commission}}{{Cite news |date=12 March 2024 |title=Speech by President von der Leyen at the European Parliament Plenary on the preparation of the European Council meeting of 21–22 March 2024 |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/SPEECH_24_1415 |access-date=2024-03-12}} On 21 March 2024, all 27 EU leaders, representing the European Council, gathered for a summit in Brussels, where they unanimously granted conditional approval for opening EU membership negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina.{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Mared Gwyn |date=2024-03-21 |title=European Union leaders approve opening accession talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina |url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/03/21/european-union-leaders-approve-opening-accession-talks-with-bosnia-and-herzegovina |access-date=2024-03-21 |publisher=EuroNews}}{{Cite news |last=Petrequin |first=Samuel |date=2024-03-21 |title=EU leaders agree on opening membership talks with Bosnia, but with many strings attached |url=https://apnews.com/article/eu-enlargement-bosnia-bid-candidate-western-balkans-e2862599316dea5973a4fd7b1a2781ee |access-date=2024-03-21 |publisher=Associated Press}} On 17 December 2024, the Council reiterated that they still needed to receive an approved Growth Plan reform package along with a national programme for adoption of EU law, and that the country should appoint a chief negotiator and a national IPA III coordinator, before the adoption of a negotiation framework can happen as the next step of the process for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
On 25 December 2024, the National Assembly of Republika Srpska (a federal entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina) adopted conclusions alleging the erosion of the legal order in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and demanded the {{qi|annulment of all acts resulting from unconstitutional actions by foreign individuals (High Representatives) who lack the constitutional authority to propose or enact laws}}, and {{qi|requires representatives from Republika Srpska in state institutions to suspend decisions related to European integration (as well as all decision-making concerned to the overall level of the country) until the process aligns with democratic principles and the rule of law}}.{{Cite web|url=https://n1info.ba/english/news/republika-srpska-national-assembly-adopts-conclusions-at-special-session/|title=Republika Srpska National Assembly adopts conclusions at special session|publisher=N1 Sarajevo|date=25 December 2024|access-date=25 December 2024}} However, the High Representative issued an order on 2 January 2025 that prohibited the implementation with immediate legal effect of the entirety of these conclusions, due to having found them to violate Republika Srpska's obligations and commitments under the Dayton Agreement.{{Cite web|url=https://n1info.ba/english/news/high-rep-prohibits-implementation-of-conclusions-adopted-by-rs-entity-assembly/|title=High Rep prohibits implementation of conclusions adopted by RS entity Assembly|publisher=N1 Sarajevo|date=2 January 2025|access-date=2 January 2025}} On 8 January 2025, the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, stated that he would seriously reconsider whether Republika Srpska should pursue the European path, as he instead preferred efforts to secede the entity from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and rejected the authority of the Constitutional Court and High Representative.{{Cite web|url=https://n1info.ba/english/news/dodik-threatens-secession-europe-has-failed-trump-will-change-everything/|title=Dodik threatens secession: "Europe has failed, Trump will change everything"|publisher=N1 Sarajevo|date=8 January 2025|access-date=8 January 2025}} The Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina stated in response: {{qi|The sovereignty, territorial integrity, constitutional order – including Constitutional Court decisions – and international personality of Bosnia and Herzegovina need to be respected. The EU urges the political leadership of the Republika Srpska to refrain from and renounce provocative, divisive rhetoric and actions, including questioning the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the country. The EU urges all political actors in BiH to take resolute action to implement the necessary reforms to advance on the EU path towards opening EU accession negotiations. We reiterate our full commitment to the EU accession perspective of BiH as a single, united and sovereign country}}.{{Cite web|url=https://n1info.ba/english/news/eu-urges-bihs-rs-entity-leadership-to-refrain-from-provocative-actions/|title=EU urges BiH's RS entity leadership to refrain from "provocative actions"|publisher=N1 Sarajevo|date=8 January 2025|access-date=8 January 2025}}
= Association Trio =
{{Main|Association Trio}}
{{See also|Accession of Georgia to the European Union|Accession of Moldova to the European Union|Accession of Ukraine to the European Union}}
In 2005, the European Commission suggested in a strategy paper that the present enlargement agenda could potentially block the possibility of a future accession of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.{{Cite web |date=9 November 2005 |title=2005 enlargement strategy paper |url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2005:0561:FIN:EN:HTML |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913122942/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2005:0561:FIN:EN:HTML |archive-date=13 September 2018 |access-date=20 November 2019 |website=European Union}} Olli Rehn, the European Commissioner for Enlargement between 2004 and 2010, said on the occasion that the EU should {{qi|avoid overstretching our capacity, and instead consolidate our enlargement agenda,}} adding, {{qi|this is already a challenging agenda for our accession process.}}{{Cite news |date=1 February 2006 |title=EU enlargement chief vows to press ahead, for 'stability' |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/02/01/news/eu.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618060410/http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/02/01/news/eu.php |archive-date=18 June 2008 |access-date=2 June 2008 |work=International Herald Tribune}} In May 2009, the Eastern Partnership was established as a specific dimension of the European Neighbourhood Policy, which contains both a bilateral and multilateral track for six Eastern neighbours to the European Union (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine),{{Cite web|url=https://eeas.europa.eu/diplomatic-network/european-neighbourhood-policy-enp_en|title=EEAS - European External Action Service - European Commission|website=EEAS - European External Action Service|language=en|access-date=2018-12-10}} in the form of an institutionalised forum for discussing visa agreements, free trade deals, and strategic partnership agreements, while there is no requirement to pursue accession to the European Union.{{cite web|url=http://www.barentsobserver.com/eu-might-get-new-eastern-partnership.4485264-16149.html|title=EU might get new Eastern Partnership|publisher=Barents Observer|date=22 May 2008}}
The European Parliament passed a resolution in April 2014 stating that {{qi|in accordance with Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, as well as any other European country, have a European perspective and can apply for EU membership in compliance with the principles of democracy, respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights, minority rights and ensuring the rule of rights.}}{{Cite web |date=18 April 2014 |title=Georgia can apply for EU membership if it complies with democratic principles |url=https://en.trend.az/scaucasus/georgia/2264637.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116013256/https://en.trend.az/scaucasus/georgia/2264637.html |archive-date=16 November 2020 |access-date=18 October 2019 |website=en.trend.az}} In 2016-17 Association Agreements between the EU and Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine were ratified, and collectively these three countries became referred to as the Association Trio. They also entered the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with the EU, which creates {{qi|framework for modernising [...] trade relations and for economic development by the opening of markets via the progressive removal of customs tariffs and quotas, and by an extensive harmonisation of laws, norms and regulations in various trade-related sectors, creating the conditions for aligning key sectors}} of their economies with EU standards.[http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2013/april/tradoc_150981.pdf< EU-Ukraine Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area]{{Dead link |date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}. trade.ec.europa.eu. However, the EU did not expand further into the post-Soviet space in the 2010s.{{Cite web |last=Rettman |first=Andrew |date=22 October 2010 |title=EU unlikely to expand into post-Soviet east in next decade |url=http://euobserver.com/9/31109 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311223450/http://euobserver.com/9/31109 |archive-date=11 March 2011 |access-date=7 January 2011 |website=Euobserver.com}}
As of December 2019, the Association Trio is sometimes expanded to the Trio + 1 with the inclusion of Armenia, which is not formally on the EU's enlargement agenda but is considering submitting an application for membership.
By January 2021, Georgia and Ukraine were preparing to formally apply for EU membership in 2024.{{Cite web |date=29 January 2019 |title=У 2024 році Україна подасть заявку на вступ до ЄС |url=https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-polytics/2629440-u-2024-roci-ukraina-podast-zaavku-na-vstup-do-es.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606180804/https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-polytics/2629440-u-2024-roci-ukraina-podast-zaavku-na-vstup-do-es.html |archive-date=6 June 2021 |access-date=14 February 2021 |website=ukrinform.ua}}{{Cite web |last=Makszimov |first=Vlagyiszlav |date=2021-01-22 |title=Georgian president visits Brussels in push for 2024 EU membership application |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/eastern-europe/news/georgian-president-visits-brussels-in-push-for-2024-eu-membership-application |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122054423/https://www.euractiv.com/section/eastern-europe/news/georgian-president-visits-brussels-in-push-for-2024-eu-membership-application |archive-date=22 January 2021 |access-date=2021-01-24 |website=euractiv.com |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Georgia-EU Relations Within Georgia's 2024 Objective to Apply for the EU Membership |url=https://www.georgianjournal.ge/politics/36727-georgia-eu-relations-within-georgias-2024-objective-to-apply-for-the-eu-membership.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103123745/https://www.georgianjournal.ge/politics/36727-georgia-eu-relations-within-georgias-2024-objective-to-apply-for-the-eu-membership.html |archive-date=3 January 2021 |access-date=2021-01-24 |website=georgianjournal.ge |language=ka}} However, following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine submitted an application for EU membership on 28 February 2022, followed by Georgia and Moldova on 3 March 2022.{{Cite news |title=Georgia, Moldova Formally Apply For EU Membership Amid Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/georgia-moldova-eu-applications/31734092.html |work=Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty}}{{Cite web |title=Moldovan president says Moldova applies for EU membership {{Pipe}} Law-Order |url=https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/1947549-moldovan-president-says-moldova-applies-for-eu-membership |website=devdiscourse.com}} On 23 June 2022, the European Council granted candidate status to Moldova and Ukraine, and recognised Georgia as a potential candidate for membership. When taking its candidacy decision for Ukraine and Moldova, the Council made opening the accession negotiations conditional to addressing respectively seven and nine key areas related to strengthening the rule of law, fighting corruption and improving governance processes.
In his speech in Moldova on 28 March 2023, President of the European Council Charles Michel mentioned that {{qi|by the end of the year, the Council will have to decide on the opening negotiations with [Ukraine and Moldova]. It will be a political decision taking into account the report that will be published by the Commission. And I sincerely hope that a positive decision will be possible by the end of the year}}.{{Cite web |title=EC to decide on opening negotiations over EU accession of Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia by year-end – Charles Michel {{!}} Rustavi2 |url=https://rustavi2.ge/en/news/252175 |access-date=2023-03-30 |website=rustavi2.ge |language=en}}
On 8 November 2023, the European Commission recommended opening negotiations with Moldova and Ukraine, and granting candidate status to Georgia, and this was agreed by the European Council on 14 December 2023.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-14 |title=European Council conclusions on Ukraine, enlargement and reforms |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/12/14/european-council-conclusions-on-ukraine-enlargement-and-reforms |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=European Council}}
On 25 June 2024, the first Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) was called by the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU, officially marking the start of the accession negotiations with Moldova and Ukraine.{{Cite web |last=Brzozowski |first=Alexandra |date=2024-06-14 |title=BREAKING: EU member states greenlight Ukraine, Moldova negotiating frameworks |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement-neighbourhood/news/breaking-eu-member-states-greenlight-ukraine-moldova-negotiating-frameworks |access-date=2024-06-15 |website=www.euractiv.com |language=en-GB}}
On 9 July 2024, following the adoption of a law by Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party requiring non-governmental and media entities to register as "foreign agents", the EU ambassador in Georgia announced that in response the EU would de facto halt the country's accession progress, with no further steps to advance the process to be expected and no financial support granted for as long as the law exists.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-09 |title=EU announces Georgia's accession is 'stopped' after anti-West pivot |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/georgia-eu-accession-stopped-anti-west-pivot-russian-law-foreign-agent-bill |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=POLITICO |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2024-07-09 |title=EU halts Georgia's accession to the bloc, freezes financial aid over much-criticized law |url=https://apnews.com/article/georgia-eu-membership-foreign-agents-law-b812e27d5ddba6e03d8859652b8fc986 |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=AP News |language=en}} The European Union has threatened Georgia with sanctions and suspension of relations if the country becomes a "one-party state" without political opposition following parliamentary elections in October 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-04 |title=EU says Georgia may risk sanctions if it abandons democracy |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-says-georgia-may-risk-sanctions-if-it-abandons-democracy-2024-10-04/ |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=Reuters |language=en}}
The 2024 Georgian parliamentary elections resulted in Georgian Dream retaining power, but were disputed by opposition parties which claimed that the vote was not free and fair and was subject to widespread voter fraud. The European Parliament adopted a non-binding resolution which rejected the validity of the results, and called for the vote to be repeated within a year.{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/11/28/georgia-to-suspend-eu-accession-talks-until-2028|title=Georgia to suspend EU accession talks until 2028|date=2024-11-28|accessdate=2024-12-07|publisher=Al Jazeera Media Network}} Following this, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated that accession negotiations would be suspended until the end of 2028,{{cite news |url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/11/28/georgian-prime-minister-suspends-eu-membership-talks-until-end-of-2028 |title=Georgian prime minister suspends EU membership talks until end of 2028 |author1=Lucy Davalou |author2=Andrew Naughtie |work=euronews |date=28 November 2024 |access-date=30 November 2024}} though he insisted that his government would continue to implement the reforms required for accession and that it still planned for Georgia to join the EU by 2030.{{cite web |author=Thomas Mackintosh|title=Protesters clash with police after Georgia shelves EU bid|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62jp68p315o|date=29 November 2024|access-date=29 November 2024|work=BBC News}}
The EU have halted all financial aid for the Georgian government since 27 June 2024, and instead redirected its financial support only to be received by civil society and the media in Georgia. Similar to the growth plans and IPA III grants launched towards supporting structural reforms to improve accession perspectives for candidates from the Western Balkans, the EU launched – or is about to launch – similar growth plan programmes for Ukraine and Moldova:
- Ukraine Facility: Established on 29 February 2024.{{cite web|url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2023:0338:FIN&sortOrder=asc|title=Procedure 2023/0200/COD for COM (2023) 338: Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on establishing the Ukraine Facility|website=EUR-Lex|language=en|date=29 February 2024|access-date=4 January 2025}} Provides up to €50 billion over four years to support financial stability, recovery, and implementation of key reforms to assist in the Accession of Ukraine to the European Union between 2024 and 2027.{{cite web |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3350 |title=Ukraine Recovery Conference: President von der Leyen and Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis showcase strong EU support with new €50 billion Ukraine Facility and €800 million in agreements to mobilise investment for Ukraine's recovery |website=European Commission|language=en|author=Directorate-General for Communication|date=21 June 2023|access-date=8 March 2024|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121113035/https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3350 |archive-date=21 November 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://commission.europa.eu/topics/eu-solidarity-ukraine/eu-assistance-ukraine/ukraine-facility_en|title=The Ukraine Facility|website=European Commission|author=Directorate-General for Communication|language=en|date=6 February 2024|access-date=22 December 2024|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241222190025/https://commission.europa.eu/topics/eu-solidarity-ukraine/eu-assistance-ukraine/ukraine-facility_en|archive-date=22 December 2024}}
- Reform and Growth Facility for Moldova: Establishment pending ongoing legal approval in 2025.{{cite web|url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2024:0469:FIN&sortOrder=asc|title=Procedure 2024/0258/COD for COM (2024) 469: Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on establishing the Reform and Growth Facility for the Republic of Moldova|website=EUR-Lex|language=en|date=4 January 2025|access-date=4 January 2025}} Provides up to €285 million in grants and €1.5 billion in loans with long repayment time and advantageous interest rates, during the period from 2025 to 2027. The facility is the financial pillar of the Moldova Growth Plan, but will also assist in the Accession of Moldova to the European Union and in undertaking EU-related reforms. Payments will be subject to strict conditions in terms of the achievement of reforms set out in the agreed Reform Agenda.{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_5124|title=Commission adopts €1.8 billion support package to underpin Moldova's economic growth plan on its path to the EU|website=European Commission|author=Directorate-General for Communication|language=en|date=10 October 2024|access-date=24 December 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241224032129/https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_5124|archive-date=24 December 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/12/17/reform-and-growth-facility-for-moldova-council-agrees-its-negotiating-position/ |title=Reform and Growth Facility for Moldova: Council agrees its negotiating position|author=Council of the EU|website=Consilium|language=en|date=17 December 2024|access-date=17 December 2024|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241222184846/https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/12/17/reform-and-growth-facility-for-moldova-council-agrees-its-negotiating-position/|archive-date=22 December 2024}}
In October 2024, the Moldovan EU membership referendum resulted in support to amend the Constitution of Moldova to include the aim of becoming an EU member state.{{cite news |url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/moldau-wahl-referendum-eu-beitritt-ergebnis-sandu-praesidentschaft-lux.NG368dEcoyc5hn24o8r7TD |title=Proeuropäer bei Referendum hauchdünn in Führung – Stichwahl um Präsidentschaft |newspaper=Süddeutscher Zeitung |date=21 October 2024 |language=de }}{{cite news |author=Christian Edwards |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/21/europe/moldova-eu-referendum-democracy-interference-intl/index.html |title=Moldova backs joining EU by razor-thin margin as president condemns 'assault' on democracy |publisher=CNN |date=21 October 2024 }}{{cite news |author=Stephen McGrath |url=https://apnews.com/article/moldova-elections-eu-referendum-russia-325cb2c13beb1d76565a6e2aadef971a |title=Moldova narrowly votes to secure path toward EU membership after accusing Russia of interference |publisher=Associated Press |date=21 October 2024 }}
= Turkey =
{{See also|Accession of Turkey to the European Union|European Union–Turkey relations}}
Turkey's candidacy to join the EU has been a matter of major significance and considerable controversy since it was granted in 1999. Turkey has had historically close ties with the EU, having an association agreement since 1964,Official Journal of the European Communities 1973, C113 p2 being in a customs union with the EU since 1995 and initially applying to join in 1987. Only after a summit in Brussels on 17 December 2004 (following the major 2004 enlargement) did the European Council announce that membership negotiations with Turkey were officially opened on 3 October 2005.
Turkey is the eleventh largest economy in the world (measured as Purchasing Power Parity), and is a key regional power.{{Cite web |last1=Bhalla |first1=Reva |last2=Goodrich |first2=Lauren |last3=Zeihan |first3=Peter |date=17 March 2009 |title=Turkey and Russia on the Rise |url=http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/20090317_turkey_and_russia_rise |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823084005/http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/20090317_turkey_and_russia_rise |archive-date=23 August 2011 |website=Stratfor}}{{Cite web |last=Friedman |first=George |date=31 July 2007 |title=The Geopolitics of Turkey |url=http://www.stratfor.com/products/premium/read_article.php?id=293204 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20091010114854/http://www.stratfor.com/products/premium/read_article.php?id=293204 |archive-date=10 October 2009 |website=Stratfor}} In 2006, Carl Bildt, former Swedish foreign minister, stated that {{qi|[The accession of Turkey] would give the EU a decisive role for stability in the Eastern part of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, which is clearly in the strategic interest of Europe.}}{{Cite news |last=Ekman |first=Ivar |date=11 December 2006 |title=Top Swedish official backs Turkey for EU |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/12/11/news/sweden.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015125225/http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/12/11/news/sweden.php |archive-date=15 October 2007 |access-date=3 July 2007 |work=International Herald Tribune}} However, others, such as former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, expressed opposition to Turkey's membership. Opponents argue that Turkey does not respect the key principles that are expected in a liberal democracy, such as the freedom of expression.{{Cite news |date=30 April 2008 |title=BBC: EU hails Turkey free speech move |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7375327.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902204820/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7375327.stm |archive-date=2 September 2019 |access-date=7 January 2011 |work=BBC News}}
Turkey's large population would also alter the balance of power in the representative European institutions. Upon joining the EU, Turkey's 84 million inhabitants would bestow it the largest number of MEPs in the European Parliament. It would become the most populous country in the EU.{{Cite news |date=17 March 2007 |title=The ins and outs: The EU's most effective foreign-policy instrument has been enlargement. But how far can it go? |url=https://www.economist.com/special-report/2007/03/17/the-ins-and-outs |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701061352/http://www.economist.com/research/articlesBySubject/displaystory.cfm?subjectid=682266&story_id=8808134 |archive-date=1 July 2011 |access-date=18 May 2020 |newspaper=The Economist}} Another problem is that Turkey does not recognise one EU member state, Cyprus, because of the Cyprus problem and the Cypriot government blocks some chapters of Turkey's talks.{{Cite magazine |date=13 October 2016 |title=Turkey's bid to join the EU is a bad joke; but don't kill it |url=https://www.economist.com/news/europe/21708693-two-cheers-hypocrisy-turkeys-bid-join-eu-bad-joke-dont-kill-it |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911162030/https://www.economist.com/news/europe/21708693-two-cheers-hypocrisy-turkeys-bid-join-eu-bad-joke-dont-kill-it |archive-date=11 September 2017 |access-date=28 August 2017 |magazine=The Economist}}{{Cite news |date=11 April 2017 |title=EU-Turkey Relations Reaching a Crossroads |url=http://carnegieeurope.eu/2017/04/11/eu-turkey-relations-reaching-crossroads-pub-68675 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717122522/https://carnegieeurope.eu/2017/04/11/eu-turkey-relations-reaching-crossroads-pub-68675 |archive-date=17 July 2019 |access-date=3 May 2017 |work=carnegieeurope.eu}}
EU–Turkey relations have deteriorated following President Erdoğan's crackdown on supporters of the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt. While Erdoğan stated that he approved the reintroduction of the death penalty to punish those involved in the coup, the EU announced that it strongly condemned the coup attempt and would officially end accession negotiations with Turkey if the death penalty was reintroduced.{{cite web |last=Robin Emmott |first=Alastair Macdonald |date=2016-07-18 |title=EU condemns Turkey coup bid, warns Erdogan on death penalty |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/eu-condemns-turkey-coup-bid-warns-erdogan-on-death-penalty-idUSKCN0ZX0XZ/ |newspaper=Reuters }} On 25 July 2016, President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker said that Turkey was not in a position to become a member of the European Union in the near future and that accession negotiations between the EU and Turkey would be stopped immediately if the death penalty was brought back.{{cite web |url =https://www.reuters.com/article/world/turkey-in-no-position-to-become-eu-member-any-time-soon-juncker-idUSKCN1050L9/ |title =Turkey in no position to become EU member any time soon: Juncker |language =en |date =July 25, 2016 |work =Reuters }} On 24 November 2016, the European Parliament approved a non-binding resolution calling for the {{qi|temporary freeze of the ongoing accession negotiations with Turkey}} over human rights and rule of law concerns.{{Cite web |date=24 November 2017 |title=P8_TA(2016)0450 |url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-%2f%2fEP%2f%2fNONSGML%2bTA%2bP8-TA-2016-0450%2b0%2bDOC%2bPDF%2bV0%2f%2fEN |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612165103/http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-%2f%2fEP%2f%2fNONSGML%2bTA%2bP8-TA-2016-0450%2b0%2bDOC%2bPDF%2bV0%2f%2fEN |archive-date=12 June 2018 |access-date=11 November 2017 |website=European Parliament}}{{Cite news |title=Freeze EU accession talks with Turkey until it halts repression, urge MEPs |url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20161117IPR51549/freeze-eu-accession-talks-with-turkey-until-it-halts-repression-urge-meps |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170310183603/http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20161117IPR51549/freeze-eu-accession-talks-with-turkey-until-it-halts-repression-urge-meps |archive-date=10 March 2017 |access-date=3 May 2017 |work=European Parliament}}{{Cite news |last=Weise |first=Zia |date=24 November 2016 |title=EU parliament votes overwhelmingly in favour of scrapping Turkey accession talks |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/24/eu-votes-overwhelmingly-favour-scrapping-turkey-accession-talks |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224014723/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/24/eu-votes-overwhelmingly-favour-scrapping-turkey-accession-talks |archive-date=24 December 2019 |access-date=21 November 2019 |work=The Telegraph}} On 13 December 2016, the European Council (comprising the heads of state or government of the member states) resolved that it would open no new areas in Turkey's membership talks in the "prevailing circumstances",{{Cite news |last=Kempf |first=Danny |date=13 December 2016 |title=EU says won't expand Turkey membership talks |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/eu-says-wont-open-turkey-membership-chapters-165121377.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230224317/https://www.yahoo.com/news/eu-says-wont-open-turkey-membership-chapters-165121377.html |archive-date=30 December 2019 |access-date=21 November 2019 |work=yahoo.com |agency=Agence France-Presse}} as Turkey's path toward autocratic rule made progress on EU accession impossible.{{Cite news |last=Pierini |first=Marc |date=12 December 2016 |title=Turkey's Impending Estrangement From the West |url=http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/66408 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206183255/https://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/66408 |archive-date=6 February 2020 |access-date=21 November 2019 |work=Carnegie Europe}} On 6 July 2017, the European Parliament accepted the call for the suspension of full membership negotiations between the EU and Turkey,{{Cite web |date=July 6, 2017 |title=AP: Türkiye ile müzakereler askıya alınsın |url=https://www.dw.com/tr/apden-t%C3%BCrkiye-ile-m%C3%BCzakerelerin-ask%C4%B1ya-al%C4%B1nmas%C4%B1na-onay/a-39572885 |website=DW Türkçe |language=tr}} and a repeat of the exact same vote ended with the same result in March 2019{{Cite web |date=March 13, 2019 |title=European Parliament calls for suspension of Turkey EU accession talks |url=https://www.euronews.com/2019/03/13/european-parliament-calls-for-suspension-of-turkey-eu-accession-talks |website=Euronews |language=en}} and May 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20210517IPR04118/eu-turkey-relations-are-at-a-historic-low-point-say-meps|title=EU-Turkey relations are at a historic low point, say MEPs|language=en|date=May 19, 2021|publisher=European Parliament}} On 17 July 2018, then-Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said that it would be beneficial to end the accession negotiations between the EU and Turkey and instead develop bilateral relations between the EU and Turkey.{{cite web |url = https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/230745/kurz-eu-must-stop-Turkey-accession-talks-immediately/ |title = Kurz: EU must stop Turkey accession talks 'immediately' |language = en |date = July 17, 2018 |website = ekathimerini.com |access-date = 12 June 2024 |archive-date = 12 June 2024 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240612130121/https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/230745/kurz-eu-must-stop-Turkey-accession-talks-immediately/ |url-status = live }} As of 2022, and especially following Erdoğan's victory in the constitutional referendum, Turkish accession talks are effectively at a standstill.{{Cite news |last=Emmott |first=Robin |date=2 May 2017 |title=Turkey's EU dream is over, for now, top official says |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-eu-idUSKBN17Y0U0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112011613/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-eu-idUSKBN17Y0U0 |archive-date=12 November 2020 |access-date=21 November 2019 |work=Reuters}}{{Cite news |date=10 April 2017 |title="Turkey is no longer an EU candidate", MEP says |url=http://www.euronews.com/2017/04/10/turkey-is-no-longer-an-eu-candidate-mep-says |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310131012/https://www.euronews.com/2017/04/10/turkey-is-no-longer-an-eu-candidate-mep-says |archive-date=10 March 2020 |access-date=21 November 2019 |work=Euronews}}{{Cite news |last=Gonen |first=Emre |date=2 May 2017 |title=A truce with the EU? |url=https://www.dailysabah.com/columns/emre_gonen/2017/05/02/a-truce-with-the-eu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919191307/https://www.dailysabah.com/columns/emre_gonen/2017/05/02/a-truce-with-the-eu |archive-date=19 September 2020 |access-date=21 November 2019 |work=Daily Sabah – Euronews}}
In July 2023, Erdoğan brought up Turkey's accession to EU membership up in the context of Sweden's application for NATO membership.{{Cite web |last=Huseyin Hayatsever |first=Ece Toksabay |date=2023-07-10 |title=Erdogan links Sweden's NATO membership to Turkey's EU accession |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/erdogan-links-swedens-nato-membership-turkeys-eu-accession-2023-07-10 |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=Reuters}} However, in September 2023, he announced that the European Union was well into a rupture in its relations with Turkey and that they could part ways during Turkey's European Union membership process.{{Cite web |date=16 September 2023 |title=Turkey could part ways with EU if necessary, Erdogan says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkeys-erdogan-says-country-could-part-ways-with-eu-if-necessary-2023-09-16 |publisher=Reuters}}
= Summary table =
{| class="wikitable"
! State
! Chapters
opened
! Chapters
closed
! Latest steps
! Next step
|-
! style="text-align:left" | {{Flag|Montenegro}}
{{Small|(accession process)}}
| style="text-align:center; background:#46a43b" | Candidate negotiating
{{Small|(since June 2012)}}
| style="text-align:center"|33/33{{Cite web |date=28 February 2025 |title=Enlargement: Montenegro |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/enlargement/montenegro |access-date=21 March 2025 |website=Consilium |publisher=General Secretariat of the Council}}{{Progression|33|33}}
| style="text-align:center"|6/33{{Progression|6|33}}
| Screening completed for all chapters in June 2013.{{Cite web |title=Montenegro Report 2022 |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52022SC0335&from=EN |website=European Commission}} First chapters opened in December 2012.
| Every chapter must be closed to conclude the negotiations.
|-
! style="text-align:left" | {{Flag|Serbia}}
{{Small|(accession process)}}
| style="text-align:center; background:#46a43b" | Candidate negotiating
{{Small|(since January 2014)}}
| style="text-align:center"|22/34{{Cite web |date=11 January 2024 |title=Enlargement: Serbia |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/enlargement/serbia |access-date=27 June 2024 |website=Consilium |publisher=General Secretariat of the Council}}{{Progression|22|34}}
| style="text-align:center"|2/34{{Progression|2|34}}
| Screening completed for all chapters in March 2015.{{Cite web |title=Serbia Report 2022 |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52022SC0338&from=EN |website=European Commission}} First chapters opened in December 2015.
| Every chapter must be opened and closed to conclude the negotiations. Benchmarks have been met for the opening of all 3 remaining chapters in cluster 3, but this has been postponed due the opening being conditional on "substantial further progress made by Serbia, in particular in accordance with...the rule of law (chapter 23+24) and the normalisation of relations with Kosovo".{{Cite web|title=Council conclusions on Enlargement (16983/24)|url=https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-16983-2024-INIT/en/pdf|website=Consilium |publisher=General Secretariat of the Council|format=PDF|date=17 December 2024|access-date=21 December 2024}}{{Cite web|title=Serbia's accession negotiations remain blocked|url=https://n1info.ba/english/news/serbias-accession-negotiations-remain-blocked/|publisher=N1 Sarajevo|date=17 December 2024|access-date=28 December 2024}}
|-
! style="text-align:left" | {{Flag|Albania}}
{{Small|(accession process)}}
| style="text-align:center; background:#46a43b" | Candidate negotiating
{{Small|(since July 2022)}}
| style="text-align:center"|16/33{{Cite web |date=27 January 2024 |title=Enlargement: Albania |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/enlargement/albania |access-date=27 June 2024 |website=Consilium |publisher=General Secretariat of the Council}}{{Progression|16|33}}
| style="text-align:center"|0/33{{Progression|0|33}}
| Screening completed for all chapters in November 2023.{{Cite web |title=Albania's EU membership process |url=https://em-al.org/en/albanias-eu-membership-process |access-date=27 June 2024 |publisher=European Movement Albania}} First chapters opened in October 2024.
| Every chapter must be opened and closed to conclude the negotiations.
|-
! style="text-align:left" | {{Nowrap|{{Flag|North Macedonia}}}}
{{Small|(accession process)}}
| style="text-align:center; background:#46a43b" | Candidate negotiating
{{Small|(since July 2022)}}
| style="text-align:center"|0/33{{Cite web |date=27 January 2024 |title=Enlargement: North Macedonia |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/enlargement/republic-north-macedonia |access-date=27 June 2024 |website=Consilium |publisher=General Secretariat of the Council}}{{Progression|0|33}}
| style="text-align:center"|0/33{{Progression|0|33}}
| Screening completed for all chapters in December 2023.
| The opening of the first 5 negotiating chapters (Fundamentals cluster) at a second intergovernmental conference will not begin until the opening phase has been completed, which according to the Council conclusions of July 2022 is conditional on the Assembly of North Macedonia approving a constitutional amendment related to the Bulgarian minority.{{Cite web |last=Aleksandar Samardjiev |date=11 August 2022 |title=North Macedonia: EU membership remains a never-ending challenge |url=https://www.balcanicaucaso.org/eng/Areas/North-Macedonia/North-Macedonia-EU-membership-remains-a-never-ending-challenge-219967 |access-date=26 June 2024 |website=Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa}}{{Cite web |date=12 December 2023 |title=Council conclusions on Enlargement (16707/23) |url=https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-16707-2023-INIT/en/pdf |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=Consilium |publisher=General Secretariat of the Council|format=PDF}}
|-
! style="text-align:left" | {{Flag|Moldova}}
{{Small|(accession process)}}
{{Small|(relations)}}
| style="text-align:center; background:#46a43b" | Candidate negotiating
{{Small|(since June 2024){{Cite web |date=25 June 2024 |title=Accession Conference with Moldova, 25 June 2024 |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-ministerial-meetings/2024/06/25/moldova |access-date=25 June 2024 |website=Consilium |publisher=General Secretariat of the Council}}}}
| style="text-align:center"|0/33{{Cite web |date=25 June 2024 |title=Enlargement: Moldova |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/enlargement/moldova |access-date=27 June 2024 |website=Consilium |publisher=General Secretariat of the Council}}{{Progression|0|33}}
| style="text-align:center"|0/33{{Progression|0|33}}
| Screening of chapters (the explanatory phase) began in January 2024, and the bilateral phase of the screening started in July 2024.{{Cite web |date=25 June 2024 |title=Intergovernmental conference with Moldova: press conference |url=https://video.consilium.europa.eu/event/en/27558 |access-date=10 July 2024 |website=Consilium |publisher=General Secretariat of the Council}}
| The opening of the first 5 negotiating chapters (Fundamentals cluster) at a second intergovernmental conference. Every chapter must be opened and closed to conclude the negotiations.
|-
! style="text-align:left" | {{Flag|Ukraine}}
{{Small|(accession process)}}
{{Small|(relations)}}
| style="text-align:center; background:#46a43b" | Candidate negotiating
{{Small|(since June 2024){{Cite web |date=25 June 2024 |title=Accession Conference with Ukraine, 25 June 2024 |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-ministerial-meetings/2024/06/25/ukraine |access-date=25 June 2024 |website=Consilium |publisher=General Secretariat of the Council}}}}
| style="text-align:center"|0/33{{Cite web |date=25 June 2024 |title=Enlargement: Ukraine |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/enlargement/ukraine |access-date=27 June 2024 |website=Consilium |publisher=General Secretariat of the Council}}{{Progression|0|33}}
| style="text-align:center"|0/33{{Progression|0|33}}
| Screening of chapters (the explanatory phase) began in January 2024, and the bilateral phase of the screening started in July 2024.{{Cite web |date=25 June 2024 |title=Intergovernmental conference with Ukraine: press conference |url=https://video.consilium.europa.eu/event/en/27557 |access-date=10 July 2024 |website=Consilium |publisher=General Secretariat of the Council}}
| The opening of the first 5 negotiating chapters (Fundamentals cluster) at a second intergovernmental conference. Every chapter must be opened and closed to conclude the negotiations.
|-
! style="text-align:left" | {{Flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}
{{Small|(accession process)}}
| style="text-align:center; background:#71f268" | Candidate
{{Small|(since December 2022){{Cite web |date=4 May 2024 |title=Enlargement: Bosnia and Herzegovina |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/enlargement/bosnia-herzegovina |access-date=27 June 2024 |website=Consilium |publisher=General Secretariat of the Council}}}}
| {{NA}}
| {{NA}}
| The European Council granted conditional approval for the opening of accession negotiations in March 2024.{{Cite news |last1=Noestlinger |first1=Nette |last2=Sito-sucic |first2=Daria |last3=Gray |first3=Andrew |date=2024-03-21 |title=EU leaders invite Bosnia to membership talks in historic step |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/bosnia-close-eu-green-light-membership-talks-2024-03-21 |access-date=2024-03-21 |publisher=Reuters}} Screening of chapters (the explanatory phase) began in April 2024.{{Cite web |date=3 July 2024 |title=Parliamentary question – E-001049/2024(ASW): Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2024-001049-ASW_EN.html |access-date=8 July 2024 |publisher=European Parliament}}
| The European Commission needs to prepare a negotiating framework for adoption by the Council, once all relevant steps set out in the Commission's recommendation of 12 October 2022 have been taken by Bosnia and Herzegovina.{{Cite web |date=22 March 2024 |title=European Council meeting (21 and 22 March 2024) – Conclusions |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/70880/euco-conclusions-2122032024.pdf |access-date=31 March 2024 |publisher=General Secretariat of the Council}} The state claimed to meet 98% of conditions demanded by the European Commission by passing a 2024 budget and Growth Plan reform package in July 2024.{{Cite web |date=4 July 2024 |title=Bosnia adopts 2024 Budget after months of delay |url=https://n1info.ba/english/news/bosnia-adopts-2024-budget-after-months-of-delay |access-date=19 July 2024 |publisher=N1 Sarajevo}}{{Cite web |date=16 July 2024 |title=BiH Institutions should receive the Budget by the end of the Week |url=https://sarajevotimes.com/bih-institutions-should-receive-the-budget-by-the-end-of-the-week-2 |access-date=19 July 2024 |publisher=Sarajevo Times}}{{Cite web |date=19 July 2024 |title=Bosnia's House of People approves 2024 budget and amended law on judicial body |url=https://dtt-net.com/bosnias-house-of-people-approves-2024-budget-and-amended-law-on-judicial-body |access-date=19 July 2024 |publisher=DTT-net}} Final approval of the Growth Plan reform package was however blocked by four cantons on 25 July.{{Cite web |date=25 July 2024 |title=Forto accuses SDA of blocking EU Growth Plan projects for political reasons |url=https://n1info.ba/english/news/forto-accuses-sda-of-blocking-eu-growth-plan-projects-for-political-reasons |access-date=29 July 2024 |publisher=N1 Sarajevo}}
As of December 2024, the Council reminded they still needed to receive an approved Growth Plan reform package along with a national programme for adoption of EU law, and that the country should appoint a chief negotiator and a national IPA III coordinator, before the adoption of a negotiation framework can happen as the next step of the process.
|-
! style="text-align:left" | {{Flag|Georgia}}
{{Small|(accession process)}}
{{Small|(relations)}}
| style="text-align:center; background:#71f268" | Candidate
{{Small|(since December 2023)}}
| {{NA}}
| {{NA}}
| The European Council granted candidate status in December 2023.{{Cite web |date=7 February 2024 |title=Enlargement: Georgia |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/enlargement/georgia |access-date=27 June 2024 |website=Consilium |publisher=General Secretariat of the Council}} The Georgian government suspended its EU membership application process until the end of 2028.
| The European Commission needs to recommend starting negotiations.
|-
! style="text-align:left" | {{Flag|Kosovo}}
{{Small|(accession process)}}
| style="text-align:center; background:#ffd617" | Applicant / Potential candidate
| {{NA}}
| {{NA}}
| Application for membership submitted in December 2022.{{Cite news |last1=Xhabafti |first1=Erion |last2=Semini |first2=Llazar |date=2022-12-14 |title=Kosovo leaders sign application request to join EU |url=https://apnews.com/article/europe-kosovo-european-union-308669f8d15bc217ec047e5d9805b278 |access-date=2022-12-14 |work=Associated Press}}
| The Council needs to by unanimous decision request the European Commission to submit an opinion.
|-
! style="text-align:left" | {{Flag|Turkey}}
{{Small|(accession process)}}
{{Small|(relations)}}
| style="text-align:center; background:#da2131" | Candidate with frozen negotiations
{{Small|(opened in October 2005, but frozen since December 2016)}}
! style="text-align:center"|16/33{{Cite web |date=11 January 2024 |title=Enlargement: Türkiye |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/enlargement/turkey |access-date=27 June 2024 |website=Consilium |publisher=General Secretariat of the Council}}{{Progression|16|33}}
! style="text-align:center"|1/33{{Progression|1|33}}
| Screening completed for all chapters in October 2006. First chapters opened in June 2006. Chapter opening frozen in December 2016, due to backsliding in the areas of democracy, rule of law, and fundamental rights. Chapter closing dialogue frozen since June 2018.{{Cite web |date=26 June 2018 |title=Enlargement and Stabilisation and Association process – Council conclusions (10555/18) |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/35863/st10555-en18.pdf |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=Consilium |publisher=General Secretariat of the Council}}
| Negotiations frozen, with no further chapters being considered for opening or closing, which has been reconfirmed by the Council each year since 2018.{{Cite web |title=Turkey Report 2021 |url=https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/system/files/2021-10/Turkey%202021%20report.PDF |website=European Commission}}{{Cite web |date=18 July 2023 |title=AP raporu: Türkiye'nin AB üyelik süreci mevcut koşullarda devam edemez |url=https://www.gazeteduvar.com.tr/ap-raporu-turkiyenin-ab-uyelik-sureci-mevcut-kosullarda-devam-edemez-haber-1628680 |publisher=Gazete Duvar |language=tr}}{{Cite web |date=8 November 2023 |title=Turkey Report 2023 |url=https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/document/download/eb90aefd-897b-43e9-8373-bf59c239217f_en?filename=SWD_2023_696%20T%C3%BCrkiye%20report.pdf |access-date=15 July 2024 |website=European Commission}}
|}
= Timeline =
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%"
! Major events
! Association
Agreement
(with link)
! Membership
application
! Candidate
status
! Negotiations
start
(1st IGC)
! Substantial
negotiations
start
(2nd IGC)
! Accession
Treaty
signed
|-
! style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" | {{Flagicon|TUR}} Turkey
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1964-12-01}} (AA)
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1987-04-14}}
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|1999-12-12}}
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2005-10-03}}{{Cite web |date=9 November 2005 |title=Turkey 2005 Progress Report |url=https://ab.gov.tr/files/AB_Iliskileri/Tur_En_Realitons/Progress/Turkey_Progress_Report_2005.pdf |access-date=15 July 2024 |publisher=European Commission}}
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2006-06-12}}{{Cite web |date=8 November 2006 |title=Turkey 2006 Progress Report |url=https://ab.gov.tr/files/AB_Iliskileri/Tur_En_Realitons/Progress/Turkey_Progress_Report_2006.pdf |access-date=15 July 2024 |publisher=European Commission}}{{Cite web |date=2024 |title=Turkey-EU relations: Accession-process (current situation) |url=https://turabder.org/en/turkey-eu/turkey-eu-relations/accession-process/current-situation |access-date=15 July 2024 |publisher=Turkey European Union Association (TURABDER)}}
| style="color:#aa0"|(tbd)
|-
! style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" | {{Flagicon|MNE}} Montenegro
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2010-05-01}} (SAA)
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2008-12-15}}
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2010-12-17}}{{Cite web |date=17 December 2010 |title=Montenegro is officially awarded EU candidate status |url=http://euobserver.com/news/31534 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919012925/https://euobserver.com/news/31534 |archive-date=19 September 2015 |access-date=16 September 2013 |website=euobserver.com}}
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2012-06-29}}
| style="color:#aa0"|(tbd)
|-
! style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" | {{Flagicon|SRB}} Serbia
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2013-09-01}} (SAA)
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2009-12-22}}
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2012-03-01}}
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2015-12-14}}{{Cite web |date=14 December 2015 |title=EU opens first chapters in accession negotiations with Serbia |url=https://europeanwesternbalkans.com/2015/12/14/eu-starts-accession-negotiations-with-serbia |access-date=15 July 2024 |publisher=European Western Balkans}}
| style="color:#aa0"|(tbd)
|-
! style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" | {{Flagicon|ALB}} Albania
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2009-04-01}} (SAA)
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2009-04-28}}
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2014-06-27}}{{Cite web |date=23 June 2014 |title=EU candidate status for Albania |url=http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-439_en.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918203628/http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-439_en.htm |archive-date=18 September 2015 |access-date=21 November 2019 |website=European Commission}}{{Cite web |date=27 June 2014 |title=European Council – 26/27 June 2014 – Conclusions |url=http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/143478.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111211510/https://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/143478.pdf |archive-date=11 November 2020 |access-date=21 November 2019 |website=European Council}}
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2022-07-19}}
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2024-10-15}}
| style="color:#aa0"|(tbd)
|-
! style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" | {{Flagicon|MKD}} North Macedonia
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2004-04-01}} (SAA)
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2004-03-22}}
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2005-12-17}}
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2022-07-19}}
| style="color:#aa0"|(tbd)
| style="color:#aa0"|(tbd)
|-
! style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" | {{Flagicon|Moldova}} Moldova
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2016-07-01}} (AA)
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2022-03-03}}{{Cite news |last=Tanas |first=Alexander |date=3 March 2022 |title=With war on its doorstep, Moldova applies for EU membership |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/moldovan-president-says-moldova-applies-eu-membership-2022-03-03 |access-date=3 March 2022 |work=Reuters |language=en}}
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2022-06-23}}{{Cite web |date=24 June 2022 |title=European Council conclusions, 23–24 June 2022 |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/06/24/european-council-conclusions-23-24-june-2022 |access-date=25 June 2022 |website=European Council}}
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2024-06-25}}{{Cite web |date=25 June 2024 |title=EU opens accession negotiations with Moldova |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/06/25/eu-opens-accession-negotiations-with-moldova |access-date=1 July 2024 |publisher=European Union}}
| style="color:#aa0"|(tbd)
| style="color:#aa0"|(tbd)
|-
! style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" | {{Flagicon|Ukraine}} Ukraine
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2017-09-01}} (AA)
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2022-02-28}}{{Cite news |date=28 February 2022 |title=Zelensky signs application for Ukraine's membership to EU |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/zelensky-signs-application-for-ukraine-s-membership-to-eu-101646068821785.html |access-date=28 February 2022 |work=Hindustan Times |agency=Associated Press}}
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2022-06-23}}
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2024-06-25}}{{Cite web |date=25 June 2024 |title=EU opens accession negotiations with Ukraine |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/06/25/eu-opens-accession-negotiations-with-ukraine |access-date=1 July 2024 |publisher=European Union}}
| style="color:#aa0"|(tbd)
| style="color:#aa0"|(tbd)
|-
! style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" | {{Flagicon|BIH}} Bosnia and Herzegovina
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2022-12-15}}
| style="color:#aa0"|(tbd)
| style="color:#aa0"|(tbd)
| style="color:#aa0"|(tbd)
|-
! style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" | {{Flagicon|Georgia}} Georgia
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2016-07-01}} (AA)
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2022-03-03}}{{Cite news |date=3 March 2022 |title=Georgia's PM Signs Application to Join the EU |url=https://civil.ge/archives/477258 |access-date=3 March 2022 |work=Civil.ge}}
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2023-12-14}}
| style="color:#aa0"|(tbd)
| style="color:#aa0"|(tbd)
| style="color:#aa0"|(tbd)
|-
! style="background:#F2F2F2; text-align:left" | {{Flagicon|Kosovo}} Kosovo{{Refn|The European Union remains divided on its policy towards Kosovo, with five EU member states not recognising its independence.|name=KOS|group=Note}}
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2022-12-14}}
| style="color:#aa0"|(tbd)
| style="color:#aa0"|(tbd)
| style="color:#aa0"|(tbd)
| style="color:#aa0"|(tbd)
|}
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"
! rowspan=2 | All events
! colspan=6 | Candidates negotiating
! rowspan=2 |
! colspan=2 | Candidates
! rowspan=2 |
! Applicant /
Potential candidate
! rowspan=2 |
! Candidate with frozen negotiations
|-
! Albania
! Moldova
! Serbia
! Ukraine
! Georgia
! Kosovo{{Refn|name=KOS|group=Note}}
! Turkey
|-
! colspan=14 style="text-align:left" | EU Association Agreement{{Refn|EU Association Agreement type: Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) for the Western Balkans states participating in the Stabilisation and Association process of the EU (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo through the STM); Association Agreement and Customs Union for Turkey; European Economic Area (EEA) for Iceland and Finland (reference state of the Fourth Enlargement); Europe Agreement for the reference states of the Fifth Enlargement.|name=AA|group=Note}}
|-
! style="text-align:left" |EU Association Agreement negotiations start
| 31 Jan 2003
| 10 Oct 2005{{Refn|Montenegro started negotiations in November 2005 while a part of Serbia and Montenegro. Separate technical negotiations were conducted regarding issues of sub-state organizational competency. A mandate for direct negotiations with Montenegro was established in July 2006. Direct negotiations were initiated on 26 September 2006 and concluded on 1 December 2006.{{Cite news |date=2006-12-01 |title=EU, Montenegro complete negotiations on pre-membership deal to bring country closer to bloc |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/01/europe/EU_GEN_Montenegro_EU.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925180017/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/01/europe/EU_GEN_Montenegro_EU.php |archive-date=2008-09-25 |access-date=2011-04-04 |work=International Herald Tribune |agency=The Associated Press}}|name=MON|group=Note}}
| 5 Apr 2000
| 10 Oct 2005{{Refn|Serbia started negotiations in November 2005 while part of Serbia and Montenegro, with a modified mandate from July 2006.|name=SER|group=Note}}
| 5 Mar 2007
! rowspan=3 |
| 25 Nov 2005
| Jan 2010
! rowspan=3 |
! rowspan=3 |
| 1959AA
1970CU
|-
! style="text-align:left" |EU Association Agreement signature
| 12 Jun 2006
| 27 Jun 2014
| 15 Oct 2007
| 9 Apr 2001
| 29 Apr 2008
| 21 Mar 2014AA
27 Jun 2014DCFTA
| 16 Jun 2008
| 27 Jun 2014
| 12 Sep 1963AA
1995CU
|-
! style="text-align:left" |EU Association Agreement entry into force
| 1 Apr 2009
| 1 Jul 2016
| 1 May 2010
| 1 Apr 2004
| 1 Sep 2013
| 1 Sep 2017
| 1 Jul 2016
|-
! colspan=14 style="text-align:left" | Membership application
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Membership application submitted
| 28 Apr 2009
| 15 Dec 2008
| 22 Mar 2004
| 22 Dec 2009
! rowspan=5 |
! rowspan=5 |
! rowspan=5 |
| 14 Apr 1987
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Council asks Commission for opinion
| 16 Nov 2009
| 23 Apr 2009
| 17 May 2004
| style="color:#aa0" |(tbd)
| 27 Apr 1987
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Commission presents legislative questionnaire to applicant
| 16 Dec 2009
| 11 Apr 2022 (Part I)
19 Apr 2022 (Part II)
| 22 Jul 2009
| 1 Oct 2004
| 24 Nov 2010
| 8 Apr 2022 (Part I)
13 Apr 2022 (Part II){{Cite web |date=8 April 2022 |title=Євросоюз передав Києву опитувальник для отримання статусу кандидата |trans-title=The European Union has sent Kyiv a questionnaire to obtain candidate status |url=https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/news/2022/04/8/7137497 |access-date=8 April 2022 |website=European Pravda |language=uk}}
| 11 Apr 2022 (Part I)
19 Apr 2022 (Part II){{Cite web |date=2022-04-11 |title=Remarks by Commissioner Várhelyi on the handing over of the questionnaires to Georgia and Moldova |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/commissioners/2019-2024/varhelyi/announcements/remarks-commissioner-varhelyi-handing-over-questionnaires-georgia-and-moldova_en |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=European Commission}}{{Cite web |date=11 April 2022 |title=Georgia Receives EU Membership Questionnaire |url=https://civil.ge/archives/485147 |access-date=2022-04-11 |website=civil.ge}}
| style="color:#aa0" |(tbd)
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! style="text-align:left" |Applicant responds to questionnaire
| 11 Jun 2010
| 22 Apr 2022 (Part I){{Cite web |date=22 April 2022 |title=Молдова заповнила опитувальник для отримання статусу кандидата на членство у ЄС |trans-title=Moldova has completed a questionnaire to obtain EU candidate status |url=https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/news/2022/04/22/7138226 |access-date=22 April 2022 |website=European Pravda |language=uk}}
12 May 2022 (Part II){{Cite web |date=12 May 2022 |title=Moldova transfers 2nd part of completed questionnaire for EU accession |url=https://interfax.com/newsroom/top-stories/79084 |access-date=12 May 2022 |website=interfax.com}}
| 12 Apr 2010
| 10 May 2005
| 22 Apr 2011
| 17 Apr 2022 (Part I){{Cite web |date=17 April 2022 |title=Шлях до членства у ЄС - Україна вже завершила роботу над опитувальником |trans-title=The road to EU membership – Ukraine has completed work on the questionnaire |url=https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/news/2022/04/17/7137973 |access-date=17 April 2022 |website=European Pravda |language=uk}}
9 May 2022 (Part II){{Cite web |title=Obtaining Ukraine's EU membership candidate status is of great importance for the Ukrainian people – President during a conversation with Ursula von der Leyen |url=https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/otrimannya-ukrayinoyu-statusu-kandidata-na-chlenstvo-v-yes-m-74933 |access-date=10 May 2022 |website=president.gov.ua}}
| 28 Feb 2018
| 2 May 2022 (Part I){{Cite web |title=Irakli Garibashvili submits EU questionnaire's part one to Carl Hartzell |url=https://www.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=574&info_id=81885 |access-date=2 May 2022}}
10 May 2022 (Part II){{Cite web |title=Irakli Garibashvili submits EU questionnaire's 2nd part to Carl Hartzell |url=https://www.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=574&info_id=81946 |access-date=10 May 2022}}
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! style="text-align:left" |Commission issues its opinion (and subsequent reports)
| 2010–2013
| 9 Nov 2010
| 2005–2009
| 12 Oct 2011
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| 1989, 1997–2004
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! colspan=14 style="text-align:left" | Candidate status
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Commission recommends granting of candidate status
| 9 Nov 2010
| 9 Nov 2005
| 12 Oct 2011
! rowspan=2 |
! rowspan=2 |
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| 13 Oct 1999
|-
! style="text-align:left" |European Council grants candidate status to Applicant
| 17 Dec 2005
| 1 Mar 2012
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| 12 Dec 1999
|-
! colspan=14 style="text-align:left" | Accession negotiations
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Commission recommends to open negotiations
| 12 Oct 2011
| 14 Oct 2009
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! rowspan=6 |
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! rowspan=6 |
| 6 Oct 2004
|-
! style="text-align:left" | European Council decides to open negotiations
| 26 Jun 2018{{Cite web |date=2018-06-28 |title=European Council conclusions, 28 June 2018 |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2018/06/29/20180628-euco-conclusions-final |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115031647/https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2018/06/29/20180628-euco-conclusions-final |archive-date=15 November 2020 |access-date=2020-03-29 |website=European Council}}{{Cite web |date=2018-06-26 |title=Enlargement and Stabilisation and Association Process – Council conclusions |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/35863/st10555-en18.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722040617/https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/35863/st10555-en18.pdf |archive-date=22 July 2018 |access-date=2020-03-29 |website=European Council}}
| 14 Dec 2023{{Cite web |date=2023-12-14 |title=European Council conclusions on Ukraine, enlargement and reforms |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/12/14/european-council-conclusions-on-ukraine-enlargement-and-reforms |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=Council of the European Union |language=en}}
| 28 Jun 2013{{Cite web |title=Serbia |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/enlargement/serbia |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=Council of the European Union |language=en}}
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| 16 Dec 2004{{Cite web |title=Türkiye |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/enlargement/turkey |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=Council of the European Union |language=en}}
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Council sets negotiations start date
| 24 Mar 2020{{Cite web |last=RFE/RL's Balkan Service |date=24 March 2020 |title=After Years of Delay, North Macedonia, Albania Get OK To Begin EU Accession Talks |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/after-years-of-delay-north-macedonia-albania-get-ok-to-begin-eu-accession-talks/30507053.html |publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty}}
| 21 Jun 2024{{Cite web |date=2024-06-21 |title=EU countries agree to begin membership talks with Moldova and Ukraine |url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240621-eu-countries-agree-to-begin-membership-talks-with-moldova-and-ukraine |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=France 24}}
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| 17 Dec 2004
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Membership negotiations start (first IGC)
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! style="text-align:left" |First negotiating chapters opened (second IGC)
| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2024-10-15}}{{cite web |date=2024-10-11 |title=Second Accession Conference with Albania, 15 October 2024 |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-ministerial-meetings/2024/10/15/ |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=Consilium}}
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| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2012-12-18}}
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| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2015-12-14}}
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| {{Dts|format=dmy|abbr=on|2006-06-12}}
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Membership negotiations end
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! colspan=14 style="text-align:left" | Accession treaty and joining the EU
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Accession Treaty signature
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! style="text-align:left" |EU joining date
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| colspan=14 | {{Reflist|group=Note}}
|}
= Level of preparation for acquis chapters =
== Current situation ==
The table below shows the level of preparation of applicant countries with EU standards (acquis communautaire) on a 5-point scale, using data from the European Commission's 2024 reports. The analysis is based on the analysis performed by the online media outlet European Pravda for Ukraine; scores for other countries, as well as additional sections (public administration reform and economic criteria) were added based on official data from the European Commission's reports.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/articles/2024/10/31/7197377/|title=Від "корупції" до телемарафону: що ЄС чекає від України та як оцінює готовність до вступу|date=2024-10-31|website=European Pravda|language=uk|accessdate=2024-10-31}}{{Cite web|url=https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/enlargement-policy/strategy-and-reports_en|title=Strategy and Reports – European Commission|date=2024-10-30|website=neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu|language=en|access-date=2024-10-31}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"
! rowspan=2 | Chapter
! colspan=6 | Candidates negotiating
! rowspan=2 |
! colspan=2 | Candidates
! rowspan=2 |
! Applicant /
Potential candidate
! rowspan=2 |
! Candidate with frozen negotiations
|-
! Albania
! Moldova
! Serbia
! Ukraine
! Georgia
! Kosovo
! Turkey
|-
! colspan=14 style="text-align:left" |Cluster 1: The fundamentals of the accession process
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Public administration reform
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
! rowspan="8" |
| style="background:#f46d43" | 1.5
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
! rowspan="8" |
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
! rowspan="8" |
| style="background:#fee08b" | 2.5
|-
! style="text-align:left" |23. Judiciary and fundamental rights
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fee08b" | 2.5
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#f46d43" | 1.5
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
|-
! style="text-align:left" |24. Justice, freedom and security
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#e6f598" | 3.5
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fee08b" | 2.5
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
|-
! style="text-align:left" |The existence of a functioning market economy
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#f46d43" | 1.5
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#f46d43" | 1.5
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#3288bd" | 5
|-
! style="text-align:left" |The capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#f46d43" | 1.5
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#f46d43" | 1.5
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
|-
! style="text-align:left" | 5. Public procurement
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#e6f598" | 3.5
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 2.5
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
|-
! style="text-align:left" |18. Statistics
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#e6f598" | 3.5
| style="background:#e6f598" | 3.5
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
|-
! style="text-align:left" |32. Financial control
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
|-
! colspan=14 style="text-align:left" |Cluster 2: Internal Market
|-
! style="text-align:left" | 1. Free movement of goods
| style="background:#fee08b" | 2.5
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
! rowspan=9 |
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
! rowspan=9 |
| style="background:#fee08b" | 2.5
! rowspan=9 |
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
|-
! style="text-align:left" | 2. Freedom of movement for workers
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
|-
! style="text-align:left" | 3. Right of establishment and freedom to provide services
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
|-
! style="text-align:left" | 4. Free movement of capital
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fee08b" | 2.5
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fee08b" | 2.5
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
|-
! style="text-align:left" |6. Company law
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#f46d43" | 1.5
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#3288bd" | 5
|-
! style="text-align:left" |7. Intellectual property law
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#66c2a5" | 4.5
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
|-
! style="text-align:left" |8. Competition policy
| style="background:#fee08b" | 2.5
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#f46d43" | 1.5
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
|-
! style="text-align:left" |9. Financial services
| style="background:#e6f598" | 3.5
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 2.5
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
|-
! style="text-align:left" |28. Consumer and health protection
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
|-
! colspan=14 style="text-align:left" |Cluster 3: Competitiveness and inclusive growth
|-
! style="text-align:left" |10. Digital transformation and media
| style="background:#e6f598" | 3.5
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#e6f598" | 3.5
! rowspan=8 |
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
! rowspan=8 |
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
! rowspan=8 |
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
|-
! style="text-align:left" |16. Taxation
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#e6f598" | 3.5
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 2.5
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
|-
! style="text-align:left" |17. Economic and monetary policy
| style="background:#e6f598" | 3.5
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#e6f598" | 3.5
| style="background:#e6f598" | 3.5
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
|-
! style="text-align:left" |19. Social policy and employment
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#f46d43" | 1.5
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
|-
! style="text-align:left" |20. Enterprise and industrial policy
| style="background:#e6f598" | 3.5
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#e6f598" | 3.5
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fee08b" | 2.5
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
|-
! style="text-align:left" |25. Science and research
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#3288bd" | 5
|-
! style="text-align:left" |26. Education and culture
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fee08b" | 2.5
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
|-
! style="text-align:left" |29. Customs union
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
|-
! colspan=14 style="text-align:left" |Cluster 4: The Green agenda and sustainable connectivity
|-
! style="text-align:left" |14. Transport
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#e6f598" | 3.5
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
! rowspan=4 |
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
! rowspan=4 |
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
! rowspan=4 |
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
|-
! style="text-align:left" |15. Energy
| style="background:#e6f598" | 3.5
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
|-
! style="text-align:left" |21. Trans-European networks
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#e6f598" | 3.5
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#e6f598" | 3.5
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#3288bd" | 5
|-
! style="text-align:left" |27. Environment and climate change
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#f46d43" | 1.5
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#f46d43" | 1.5
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
|-
! colspan=14 style="text-align:left" |Cluster 5: Resources, agriculture and cohesion
|-
! style="text-align:left" |11. Agriculture and rural development
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
! rowspan=5 |
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
! rowspan=5 |
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
! rowspan=5 |
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
|-
! style="text-align:left" |12. Food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 2.5
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
|-
! style="text-align:left" |13. Fisheries and aquaculture
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
|-
! style="text-align:left" |22. Regional policy and coordination of structural instruments
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#f46d43" | 1.5
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
|-
! style="text-align:left" |33. Financial and budgetary provisions
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
| —
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
|-
! colspan=14 style="text-align:left" |Cluster 6: External relations
|-
! style="text-align:left" |30. External relations
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
! rowspan=3 |
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
! rowspan=3 |
| style="background:#d53e4f" | 1
! rowspan=3 |
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
|-
! style="text-align:left" |31. Foreign, security and defence policy
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#e6f598" | 3.5
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| style="background:#abdda4" | 4
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 3
| —
| style="background:#fdae61" | 2
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Average level
! style="background:#e9ecf0" | 2.82
! style="background:#e9ecf0" | 1.99
! style="background:#e9ecf0" | 3.18
! style="background:#e9ecf0" | 3.06
! style="background:#e9ecf0" | 3.13
! style="background:#e9ecf0" | 2.22
! style="background:#e9ecf0" | 1.64
! style="background:#e9ecf0" | 2.18
! style="background:#e9ecf0" | 1.99
! style="background:#e9ecf0" | 2.99
|-
| colspan=14 |
{{Leftlegend|#3288bd|text=5|Well advanced}}
{{Leftlegend|#66c2a5|text={{Small|4.5}}|Good / Well advanced}}
{{Leftlegend|#abdda4|text=4|Good level of preparation}}
{{Leftlegend|#e6f598|text={{Small|3.5}}|Moderate / Good}}
{{Leftlegend|#ffffbf|text=3|Moderately prepared}}
{{Leftlegend|#fee08b|text={{Small|2.5}}|Some / Moderate}}
{{Leftlegend|#fdae61|text=2|Some level of preparation}}
{{Leftlegend|#f46d43|text={{Small|1.5}}|Early stage / Some}}
{{Leftlegend|#d53e4f|text=1|Early stage}}
|}
== Progress over the past year ==
The table below shows the progress over the past year of applicant countries on a 4-point scale, using data from the European Commission's 2024 reports. The analysis is based on the analysis performed by the online media outlet European Pravda for Ukraine; scores for other countries, as well as additional sections (public administration reform and economic criteria) were added based on official data from the European Commission's reports.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/articles/2024/10/31/7197377/|title=Від "корупції" до телемарафону: що ЄС чекає від України та як оцінює готовність до вступу|date=2024-10-31|website=European Pravda|language=uk|accessdate=2024-10-31}}{{Cite web|url=https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/enlargement-policy/strategy-and-reports_en|title=Strategy and Reports – European Commission|date=2024-10-30|website=neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu|language=en|access-date=2024-10-31}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"
! rowspan=2 | Chapter
! colspan=6 | Candidates negotiating
! rowspan=2 |
! colspan=2 | Candidates
! rowspan=2 |
! Applicant /
Potential candidate
! rowspan=2 |
! Candidate with frozen negotiations
|-
! Albania
! Moldova
! Serbia
! Ukraine
! Georgia
! Kosovo
! Turkey
|-
! colspan=14 style="text-align:left" |Cluster 1: The fundamentals of the accession process
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Public administration reform
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
! rowspan="8" |
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
! rowspan="8" |
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
! rowspan="8" |
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
|-
! style="text-align:left" |23. Judiciary and fundamental rights
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#d53e4f" | -4
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
|-
! style="text-align:left" |24. Justice, freedom and security
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
|-
! style="text-align:left" |The existence of a functioning market economy
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
|-
! style="text-align:left" |The capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
|-
! style="text-align:left" |5. Public procurement
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
|-
! style="text-align:left" |18. Statistics
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
|-
! style="text-align:left" |32. Financial control
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
|-
! colspan=14 style="text-align:left" |Cluster 2: Internal Market
|-
! style="text-align:left" | 1. Free movement of goods
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
! rowspan=9 |
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
! rowspan=9 |
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
! rowspan=9 |
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
|-
! style="text-align:left" | 2. Freedom of movement for workers
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
|-
! style="text-align:left" | 3. Right of establishment and freedom to provide services
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
|-
! style="text-align:left" | 4. Free movement of capital
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
|-
! style="text-align:left" |6. Company law
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
|-
! style="text-align:left" |7. Intellectual property law
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#66c2a5" | 4
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
|-
! style="text-align:left" |8. Competition policy
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
|-
! style="text-align:left" |9. Financial services
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
|-
! style="text-align:left" |28. Consumer and health protection
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
|-
! colspan=14 style="text-align:left" |Cluster 3: Competitiveness and inclusive growth
|-
! style="text-align:left" |10. Digital transformation and media
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#66c2a5" | 4
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
! rowspan=8 |
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
! rowspan=8 |
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
! rowspan=8 |
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
|-
! style="text-align:left" |16. Taxation
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
|-
! style="text-align:left" |17. Economic and monetary policy
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
|-
! style="text-align:left" |19. Social policy and employment
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
|-
! style="text-align:left" |20. Enterprise and industrial policy
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
|-
! style="text-align:left" |25. Science and research
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
|-
! style="text-align:left" |26. Education and culture
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
|-
! style="text-align:left" |29. Customs union
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
|-
! colspan=14 style="text-align:left" |Cluster 4: The Green agenda and sustainable connectivity
|-
! style="text-align:left" |14. Transport
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
! rowspan=4 |
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
! rowspan=4 |
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
! rowspan=4 |
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
|-
! style="text-align:left" |15. Energy
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
|-
! style="text-align:left" |21. Trans-European networks
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
|-
! style="text-align:left" |27. Environment and climate change
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
|-
! colspan=14 style="text-align:left" |Cluster 5: Resources, agriculture and cohesion
|-
! style="text-align:left" |11. Agriculture and rural development
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
! rowspan=5 |
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
! rowspan=5 |
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
! rowspan=5 |
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
|-
! style="text-align:left" |12. Food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
|-
! style="text-align:left" |13. Fisheries and aquaculture
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
|-
! style="text-align:left" |22. Regional policy and coordination of structural instruments
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
|-
! style="text-align:left" |33. Financial and budgetary provisions
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| —
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
|-
! colspan=14 style="text-align:left" |Cluster 6: External relations
|-
! style="text-align:left" |30. External relations
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
! rowspan=3 |
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
! rowspan=3 |
| style="background:#fee08b" | 1
! rowspan=3 |
| style="background:#ffffbf" | 2
|-
! style="text-align:left" |31. Foreign, security and defence policy
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#abdda4" | 3
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
| —
| style="background:#fdae61" | 0
|-
! style="text-align:left" |Average progress
! style="background:#e9ecf0" | 1.56
! style="background:#e9ecf0" | 1.89
! style="background:#e9ecf0" | 1.83
! style="background:#e9ecf0" | 1.39
! style="background:#e9ecf0" | 1.08
! style="background:#e9ecf0" | 1.78
! style="background:#e9ecf0" | 0.61
! style="background:#e9ecf0" | 1.06
! style="background:#e9ecf0" | 1.50
! style="background:#e9ecf0" | 1.08
|-
| colspan=14 |
{{Leftlegend|#66c2a5|text=4|Very good progress}}
{{Leftlegend|#abdda4|text=3|Good progress}}
{{Leftlegend|#e6f598|text={{Small|2.5}}|Some / Good progress}}
{{Leftlegend|#ffffbf|text=2|Some progress}}
{{Leftlegend|#fee08b|text=1|Limited progress}}
{{Leftlegend|#fdae61|text=0|No progress}}
{{Leftlegend|#d53e4f|text=-4|Backsliding}}
|}
States not on the agenda
{{Main|Foreign relations of the European Union}}
[[File:European Union future possible members 2.0.svg|thumb|Countries that could join the European Union
{{Legend|#003399|Current members}}
{{Legend|#46a43b|Candidates}}
{{Legend|#ffd617|Applicant}}
{{Legend|#f29527|Membership possible}}
{{Legend|#c39467|Countries located (at least partially) in Europe}}
{{Legend|#da2131|Application rejected by the European Council}}]]
The Maastricht Treaty (Article 49) states that any European country (as defined by a European Council assessment) that is committed to democracy may apply for membership in the European Union.{{Cite web |title=Conditions for membership |url=http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/policy/conditions-membership/index_en.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127153649/http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/policy/conditions-membership/index_en.htm |archive-date=27 November 2016 |access-date=21 December 2014 |website=European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations |publisher=European Commission}} In addition to European states, other countries have also been speculated or proposed as future members of the EU.
States in Europe that have chosen, for various reasons, not to join the EU have integrated with it to different extents according to their circumstances. Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein participate directly in the single market via the EEA, Switzerland does so via bilateral treaties and the other European microstates (Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City) have specific agreements with the EU and neighbouring countries, including their use of the euro as their currency. Most of these countries are also part of the Schengen Area. Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland have all previously had live applications to join the EU, which have been withdrawn or otherwise frozen. Such applications could be resubmitted in the event of a change in the political landscape.
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
! colspan=3 | {{Flag|Armenia}}
|-
! rowspan=6 style="width:200px" | 200px
| style="width:100px"| Main article:
| Accession of Armenia to the European Union
|-
| Relationship:
| Armenia–EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement.{{Cite web |date=3 October 2018 |title=Armenia-EU finalize new deal |url=http://asbarez.com/160565/eu-armenia-finalize-new-deal-on-closer-ties |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829000428/http://asbarez.com/160565/eu-armenia-finalize-new-deal-on-closer-ties |archive-date=29 August 2018 |access-date=3 October 2018 |website=Asbarez News Agency}}
|-
| Main obstacles:
| Membership of competing Eurasian Economic Union, security dependency on Russia.{{Citation |last=Anahit Shirinyan |title=Armenia's Foreign Policy Balancing in an Age of Uncertainty Chatham House – International Affairs Think Tank |date=14 March 2019 |url=https://www.chathamhouse.org/2019/03/armenias-foreign-policy-balancing-age-uncertainty}}
|-
| Proponents:
| Armenian National Movement Party,{{Cite web |title=Armenia outside European integration process – Ararat Zurabyan |url=https://www.tert.am/en/news/2013/10/08/ararat-zurabyan3/885845 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624193339/https://www.tert.am/en/news/2013/10/08/ararat-zurabyan3/885845 |archive-date=24 June 2022 |access-date=23 June 2022 |website=tert.am}} Bright Armenia, Civil Contract,{{Cite web |title=«ՀՐԱՊԱՐԱԿ». ՆԻԿՈԼ ՓԱՇԻՆՅԱՆՆ ԱՍԵԼ Է՝ ԱՄԵՆԱՈՒՇԸ ՄԻՆՉԵՒ ԱՇՈՒՆ ՊԵՏՔ Է ԴԻՄԵԼ՝ ԵՄ ԱՆԴԱՄՈՒԹՅԱՆ ԹԵԿՆԱԾՈՒ ԴԱՌՆԱԼՈՒ ՀԱՄԱՐ|trans-title="Hraparak": Nikol Pashinyan said that Armenia should apply to become a candidate for EU membership by autumn at the latest|url=https://hraparak.am/post/c1bb9ccbee31e8bfe4661e7849e99a75 |website=hraparak.am|language=Armenian|author=Lusine Shahverdyan|date=5 March 2024}}{{Cite web |title=Will Armenia apply to become a candidate for EU membership in the coming days? |url=https://radar.am/en/news/press-2618720505 |website=radar.am}} European Party of Armenia,{{Cite web |title=Օր առաջ դուրս գալ ԵԱՏՄ-ից. "Հայաստանի Եվրոպական կուսակցությունը" համագումար է... |url=http://a1plus.am/hy/article/196009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509120602/https://a1plus.am/hy/article/196009 |archive-date=9 May 2019 |access-date=12 January 2020 |website=a1plus.am}} For The Republic Party, Free Democrats, Heritage,{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=http://heritage.am/en/about |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530220513/http://heritage.am/en/about |archive-date=30 May 2014 |website=Heritage Party Website}} People's Party of Armenia,{{Cite web |date=8 December 2006 |title=People's Party of Armenia Changes Orientation |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/518567 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719164138/https://armenpress.am/eng/news/518567 |archive-date=19 July 2019 |access-date=21 November 2019 |website=Armenpress}} Republic Party, Rule of Law,{{Cite web |last=Shahunyan |first=Tatevik |date=26 September 2005 |title=Interview With RA National Assembly Speaker Artur Baghdasaryan |url=http://arminfo.am/political-issue22.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070607153503/http://arminfo.am/political-issue22.html |archive-date=7 June 2007 |access-date=21 November 2019 |website=arminfo.am}}, Sovereign Armenia Party,{{Cite web |title="Ժողովրդին պարտադրում են ընտրություն կատարել նախկիններ եւ ներկաներ տիրույթում, ինձ համար բոլորն էլ արդեն նախկին են". Դավիթ Սանասարյանի կուսակցության համագումարը |url=https://www.aravot.am/2021/04/23/1186345 |website=aravot.am}} Union for National Self-Determination{{Cite web |last=Union for National Self-Determination Party |title=The views of Armenian and Azerbaijani Political Parties on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and conflict resolution process |url=http://commonspace.eu/user_upload/karabakh/21_Union_for_National_Self-Determination.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190619191041/http://commonspace.eu/user_upload/karabakh/21_Union_for_National_Self-Determination.pdf |archive-date=19 June 2019 |access-date=21 November 2019 |website=commonspace.eu}}
|-
| Opponents:
| Prosperous Armenia,{{Cite news |last=Danielyan |first=Emil |date=18 October 2019 |title=Tsarukian Endorsed By Eurosceptic EU Politicians |url=https://www.azatutyun.am/a/28382654.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731040605/https://www.azatutyun.am/a/28382654.html |archive-date=31 July 2020 |access-date=18 October 2019 |work=azatutyun.am |agency=RFE/RL}} Republican Party of Armenia{{Cite news |date=3 September 2013 |title=Armenia chooses Russia over EU |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/armenia-chooses-russia-over-eu |work=Politico}}
|-
| Public opinion:
| 58% in favour, 13% against (2024 poll)[https://www.iri.org/news/iri-armenia-poll-finds-majorities-support-eu-membership-peace-treaty-with-azerbaijan/ IRI Armenia Poll Finds Majorities Support EU Membership, Peace Treaty with Azerbaijan]
|-
! colspan=3 | {{Flag|Belarus}}
|-
! rowspan=6 style="width:200px" | 200px
| style="width:100px"| Main article:
| Belarus–European Union relations
|-
| Relationship:
| Participation in the Eastern Partnership (suspended on 28 June 2021). As of 2020 the European Union does not recognise Alexander Lukashenko as the legitimate president of Belarus.
|-
| Main obstacles:
| Alexander Lukashenko's authoritarian rule, Eurosceptic government, Russian political influence, Union State (integration with Russia).
|-
| Proponents:
| Belarusian Christian Democracy, BPF Party, United Democratic Forces of Belarus, Belarusian Liberal Party of Freedom and Progress, United Civic Party of Belarus, Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Assembly), Belarusian Social Democratic Assembly
|-
| Opponents:
| Russian government, Alexander Lukashenko, Belaya Rus
|-
| Public opinion:
| 42.1% in favour (2013 poll with several options){{Cite web |date=12 April 2013 |title=Do Belarusians Want to Join the EU? |url=https://belarusdigest.com/story/do-belarusians-want-to-join-the-eu |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023091542/https://belarusdigest.com/story/do-belarusians-want-to-join-the-eu |archive-date=23 October 2020 |access-date=10 August 2020 |website=Belarus Digest}}
|-
! colspan=3 | {{Flag|Iceland}}
|-
! rowspan=6 style="width:200px" | 200px
| style="width:100px"| Main article:
| Iceland–European Union relations
|-
| Relationship:
| Member of the European Economic Area and Schengen Area, frozen membership application.
|-
| Main obstacles:
| Common Fisheries Policy{{Cite book |last=Ingebritsen |first=Christine |url=https://archive.org/details/nordicstateseuro00inge |title=The Nordic States and European Unity |publisher=Cornell University Press |date=1998 |isbn=978-0-8014-3484-6 |url-access=registration}} and others.
|-
| Proponents:
| Social Democratic Alliance, Liberal Reform Party
|-
| Opponents:
| Independence Party, Progressive Party, Left-Green Movement, People's Party, Centre Party
|-
| Public opinion:
| 45% in favour, 35% against (2025 poll).{{Cite news|url=https://www.ruv.is/english/2025-01-09-poll-majority-support-eu-negotiations-432591|title=Poll: majority support EU negotiations|author=Darren Adam|date=2025-01-09|access-date=2025-01-09|publisher=RÚV|lang=en}}
|-
! colspan=3 | {{Flag|Norway}}
|-
! rowspan=6 style="width:200px" | 200px
| style="width:100px"| Main article:
| Norway–European Union relations
|-
| Relationship:
| Member of the European Economic Area and Schengen Area, frozen application, but not withdrawn.
|-
| Main obstacles:
| Common Fisheries Policy and others, public opinion.
|-
| Proponents:
| Conservative Party, Labour Party, Liberal Party, Green Party
|-
| Opponents:
| Progress Party, Centre Party, Red Party, Socialist Left Party
|-
| Public opinion:
| 30% in favour, 56% against (2024 poll).{{cite news |title=Ny EU-måling: Markant fall for ja-siden |url=https://www.abcnyheter.no/nyheter/norge/2024/08/12/196021957/ny-eu-maling-markant-fall-for-ja-siden?nr=1 |access-date=5 January 2025 |work=ABC Nyheter |date=12 August 2024 |language=Norwegian}}
|-
! colspan=3 | {{Flag|Russia}}
|-
! rowspan=6 style="width:200px" | 200px
| style="width:100px"| Main article:
| Russia–European Union relations
|-
| Relationship:
|
|-
| Main obstacles:
| Vladimir Putin's authoritarian rule, Eurosceptic government, and occupation of territories within Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.
|-
| Proponents:
| Yabloko, Democratic Party of Russia, 5th of December Party, Green Alternative
|-
| Opponents:
| Vladimir Putin, United Russia, Communist Party of the Russian Federation, Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, For Truth, National Patriotic Forces of Russia
|-
| Public opinion:
|-
! colspan=3 | {{Flag|San Marino}}
|-
! rowspan=6 style="width:200px" | 200px
| style="width:100px"| Main article:
| San Marino–European Union relations {{Small|(Microstates and the European Union)}}
|-
| Relationship:
| Bilateral treaties, open border, customs union, and euro adoption.
|-
| Main obstacles:
|-
| Proponents:
| United Left,{{Cite web |date=9 September 2013 |title=Referendum "europeo": Sinistra Unita dice "Sì" |url=http://www.smtvsanmarino.sm/politica/2013/09/09/referendum-europeo-sinistra-unita-dice-si |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001061613/http://www.smtvsanmarino.sm/politica/2013/09/09/referendum-europeo-sinistra-unita-dice-si |archive-date=1 October 2013 |access-date=15 September 2013 |website=SMtv San Marino}} Future Republic,{{Cite web |date=6 September 2013 |title=Referendum Ue: sì convinto dall'Upr |url=http://www.smtvsanmarino.sm/politica/2013/09/06/referendum-ue-si-convinto-dall-upr |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001063956/http://www.smtvsanmarino.sm/politica/2013/09/06/referendum-ue-si-convinto-dall-upr |archive-date=1 October 2013 |access-date=15 September 2013 |website=SMtv San Marino}} Libera San Marino,{{Cite web |date=26 September 2013 |title=Civico 10. Su Europa e referendum |url=http://www.sanmarinonotizie.com/?p=77406 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130927053434/http://www.sanmarinonotizie.com/?p=77406 |archive-date=27 September 2013 |access-date=26 September 2013}}{{Cite web |date=5 September 2013 |title=Civico10 sul referendum sull'Europa: vietato votare 'no' |url=http://www.giornale.sm/san-marino-civico10-sul-referendum-sulleuropa-vietato-votare-no-25228/#.Ui_Qtz-FZ24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911032317/http://www.giornale.sm/san-marino-civico10-sul-referendum-sulleuropa-vietato-votare-no-25228/#.Ui_Qtz-FZ24 |archive-date=11 September 2013 |access-date=15 September 2013}} Party of Socialists and Democrats,{{Cite web |date=19 September 2013 |title=Congresso Psd: si cerca la mediazione su un nome che rappresenti le diverse anime |url=http://www.smtvsanmarino.sm/politica/2013/09/19/congresso-psd-si-cerca-mediazione-nome-rappresenti-diverse-anime |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928141712/http://www.smtvsanmarino.sm/politica/2013/09/19/congresso-psd-si-cerca-mediazione-nome-rappresenti-diverse-anime |archive-date=28 September 2013 |access-date=26 September 2013 |website=SMtv San Marino}} Socialist Party,{{Cite web |date=10 September 2013 |title=Referendum Europa: il Ps è per il sì |url=http://www.smtvsanmarino.sm/politica/2013/09/10/referendum-europa-ps-si |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001061856/http://www.smtvsanmarino.sm/politica/2013/09/10/referendum-europa-ps-si |archive-date=1 October 2013 |access-date=15 September 2013 |website=SMtv San Marino}} For San Marino{{Cite web |date=6 October 2013 |title=Referendum 2013: Per San Marino invita a votare sì |url=http://www.smtvsanmarino.sm/san-marino/elezioni/referendum-2013/referendum-news/2013/10/06/referendum-2013-san-marino-invita-votare-si |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610201748/http://www.smtvsanmarino.sm/san-marino/elezioni/referendum-2013/referendum-news/2013/10/06/referendum-2013-san-marino-invita-votare-si |archive-date=10 June 2015 |access-date=8 October 2013 |website=SMtv San Marino}}{{Cite web |date=5 September 2013 |title=Referendum sull'Europa, Psm spinge verso "l'inizio di una trattativa lunga e difficile" |url=http://www.giornale.sm/san-marino-referendum-sulleuropa-psm-spinge-verso-linizio-di-una-trattativa-lunga-e-difficile-24059 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015005201/http://www.giornale.sm/san-marino-referendum-sulleuropa-psm-spinge-verso-linizio-di-una-trattativa-lunga-e-difficile-24059 |archive-date=15 October 2013 |access-date=15 September 2013}}
|-
| Opponents:
| Sammarinese Christian Democratic Party,{{Cite web |date=20 September 2013 |title=DC, maggiore integrazione all'Europa non significa adesione |url=http://www.smtvsanmarino.sm/politica/2013/09/20/dc-maggiore-integrazione-europa-non-significa-adesione |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928141618/http://www.smtvsanmarino.sm/politica/2013/09/20/dc-maggiore-integrazione-europa-non-significa-adesione |archive-date=28 September 2013 |access-date=26 September 2013 |website=SMtv San Marino}} Sammarinese Social Right Movement
|-
| Public opinion:
| A referendum in 2013 on applying for EU membership resulted in 50.3% approving, but it failed due to insufficient turnout.{{Cite web |date=23 October 2013 |title=San Marino rejects EU accession |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/san-marino-rejects-eu-accession |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029065303/https://www.politico.eu/article/san-marino-rejects-eu-accession |archive-date=29 October 2017 |access-date=23 December 2017 |website=politico.eu}}
|-
! colspan=3 | {{Flag|Switzerland}}
|-
! rowspan=6 style="width:200px" | 200px
| style="width:100px"| Main article:
| Switzerland–European Union relations
|-
| Relationship:
| Bilateral treaties allowing participation in the European Single Market, member of the Schengen Area, withdrawn membership application.
|-
| Main obstacles:
| Swiss public opinion and direct democracy.
|-
| Proponents:
| Green Party, Social Democratic Party,{{Cite news |date=8 February 2009 |title=Linke lanciert neue EU-Beitrittsdebatte |url=http://bazonline.ch/schweiz/standard/Linke-lanciert-neue-EUBeitrittsdebatte/story/14787303 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090719094025/http://bazonline.ch/schweiz/standard/Linke-lanciert-neue-EUBeitrittsdebatte/story/14787303 |archive-date=19 July 2009 |access-date=9 February 2009 |work=baz.online |language=de}} Green Liberal Party, Volt Switzerland{{Cite web |title=Our vision for a United Europe |url=https://www.voltswitzerland.org/party/vision |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=Volt Switzerland |language=en-CH}}
|-
| Opponents:
| Swiss People's Party, Evangelical People's Party, Ticino League, Federal Democratic Union, Swiss Party of Labour, Solidarity,{{Cite web |title=Switzerland — Parties |url=https://europeelects.eu/switzerland |access-date=18 January 2022 |website=Europe Elects}} Campaign for an Independent and Neutral Switzerland{{Cite web |last=Kuenzi |first=Renat |date=15 May 2014 |title='We're Not the Only EU Sceptics' |url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/conservative-pressure-group_-we-re-not-the-only-eu-sceptics-/38582264 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218032314/http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/conservative-pressure-group_-we-re-not-the-only-eu-sceptics-/38582264 |archive-date=18 February 2020 |access-date=21 November 2019 |website=Swissinfo}}{{Cite web |title=Über Uns |url=http://auns.ch/ueber-uns |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413063201/http://auns.ch/ueber-uns |archive-date=13 April 2016 |access-date=4 April 2016 |website=Campaign for an Independent and Neutral Switzerland official website}}
|-
| Public opinion:
| A Swiss referendum on restarting EU membership negotiations in 2001 was defeated by 76.8%.{{Cite web |date=4 March 2001 |title=Swiss say 'no' to EU |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1201133.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220225800/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1201133.stm |archive-date=20 February 2009 |access-date=5 May 2008 |website=BBC News}}
|-
! colspan=3 | {{Flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
! rowspan=6 style="width:200px" | 200px
| style="width:100px"| Main article:
| Potential re-accession of the United Kingdom to the European Union
|-
| Relationship:
| Withdrawal agreement, EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, past membership.
|-
| Main obstacles:
|-
| Proponents:
| Liberal Democrats,{{Cite web |last1=Brack |first1=Duncan |last2=Moran |first2=Layla |author-link2=Layla Moran |date=2 August 2021 |title=The UK–EU relationship: the Liberal Democrat position |url=https://www.libdems.org.uk/eu-relationship |access-date=2021-10-25 |website=libdems.org.uk |language=en}} Green Party,{{Cite web |date=2022-10-02 |title=Greens call for re-joining the EU 'as soon as political situation is favourable' |url=https://greenparty.org.uk/news/2022/10/02/greens-call-for-re-joining-the-eu-%E2%80%9Cas-soon-as-political-situation-is-favourable%E2%80%9D |publisher=Green Party}} Scottish National Party
|-
| Opponents:
| Keir Starmer,{{cite news |last=Gutteridge |first=Nick |date=31 May 2023 |title=Keir Starmer faces Labour Brexit backlash for vowing to stay outside EU |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/05/31/keir-starmer-eu-brexit-pro-european-labour-mp/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608065837/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/05/31/keir-starmer-eu-brexit-pro-european-labour-mp/ |archive-date=8 June 2023 |access-date=15 June 2023 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph}} Conservative Party, Reform UK
|-
| Public opinion:
|
51% in favour of rejoining, 35% against, 12% neither/don't know (23–25 May 2024, Deltapoll).{{Cite web |date=2024-05-26 |title=Voting Intention and Deltapoll Trackers (26th May 2024) {{!}} Deltapoll |url=https://deltapoll.co.uk/polls/voteint240526 |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Deltapoll {{!}} Deltapoll}}
|}
= Armenia =
{{See also|Armenia–European Union relations|Accession of Armenia to the European Union}}
On 12 March 2024, the European Parliament passed a resolution confirming Armenia met Maastricht Treaty Article 49 requirements and that the country may apply for EU membership.{{Cite web |title=Joint Motion for a Resolution on closer ties between the EU and Armenia and the need for a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/RC-9-2024-0163_EN.html |website=www.europarl.europa.eu|author=European Parliament|date=12 March 2024}} A petition calling for a referendum on whether Armenia should apply for membership of the EU,{{Cite web|url=https://armenpress.am/en/article/1199594|title=Three political parties in Armenia start referendum petition for EU membership|date=11 September 2024|website=Armenpress News Agency}} which was supported by Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan,{{Cite web|url=https://en.armradio.am/2024/11/22/armenian-pm-says-no-political-logic-in-being-against-a-referendum-on-eu-membership/|title=Armenian PM says no political logic in being against a referendum on EU membership|publisher=Public Radio of Armenia|author=Siranush Ghazanchyan|date=22 November 2024}} succeeded in reaching the 50,000 signatures required in order to be submitted for a vote in the National Assembly.{{Cite web|url=https://www.azatutyun.am/a/evrakve--i-storagroutyounnery-nouynakanatsvel-en-em-in-andamaktselou-nakhagitsy-karogh-e-azh-mtnel/33234689.html|title=«Եվրաքվե»-ի ստորագրությունները նույնականացվել են. ԵՄ-ին անդամակցելու նախագիծը կարող է ԱԺ մտնել|trans-title="Euroreferendum" signatures identified: EU membership bill may enter NA|author=Ani Ohanyan (Անի Օհանյան)|language=Armenian|date=10 December 2024|website=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (azatutyun.am)}}{{Cite web|url=https://panarmenian.net/m/eng/news/317885|title=Bill on Armenia's EU membership reaches parliament|publisher=PanARMENIAN.Net|date=17 December 2024}} On 12 February 2025, Armenia's parliament approved a bill on the launch of the accession process of Armenia to the European Union.{{cite web |title=Armenian parliament adopts EU bill |url=https://armenpress.am/en/article/1211823 |website=armenpress.am |access-date=12 February 2025}} Pashinyan had stated that if the bill was approved then a roadmap should be agreed to with the European Union prior to holding the referendum.{{Cite web|url=https://www.primeminister.am/en/press-release/item/2025/01/09/Cabinet-meeting/|title=Results of the regular cabinet meeting on 9 January 2025: The launch of the new insecurity assessment system will begin in Kotayk and Syunik regions from March 17, 2025|author=The Office to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia|website=Primeminister.am|date=9 January 2025|access-date=9 January 2025}} The decision for the government to support the bill was reported to be the first step of "the beginning of the accession process of the Republic of Armenia to the European Union".{{Cite web|url=https://www.intellinews.com/armenia-approves-eu-membership-bid-further-straining-ties-with-russia-360782|title=Armenia approves EU membership bid further straining ties with Russia|publisher=BNE Intellinews|author=Ani Avetisyan|date=9 January 2025|access-date=9 January 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/armenian-government-approves-bill-launch-eu-accession-bid-2025-01-09|title=Armenian government approves bill to launch EU accession bid|publisher=Reuters|author=Felix Light|date=9 January 2025|access-date=9 January 2025}}
= Iceland =
{{See also|Iceland–European Union relations}}
Iceland had active accession negotiations from July 2010 until September 2013, but then the membership application was at first suspended and then withdrawn by the Icelandic government. Since March 2022, opinion polls however showed a stable support for Iceland to join the EU. There was a renewed call in September 2022 for a referendum on resuming EU membership negotiations.{{cite news |first=Larissa |last=Kyzer |url=https://www.icelandreview.com/politics/parliamentary-resolution-reignites-eu-membership-debate/ |title=Parliamentary Resolution Reignites EU Membership Debate |work=Iceland Review |date=18 September 2022 |access-date=16 October 2022 |archive-date=16 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016230628/https://www.icelandreview.com/politics/parliamentary-resolution-reignites-eu-membership-debate/ |url-status=live}}. Following the 2024 Icelandic parliamentary election, the Social Democratic Alliance, Viðreisn and People's Party formed a new coalition government, which agreed to hold a referendum on resuming negotiations on EU membership by 2027.{{cite web|url=https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/business/politics/2024/12/21/icelands-social-democrats-reach-deal-for-coalition-government/|title=Iceland's Social Democrats Reach Deal for New Government|date=2024-12-21|accessdate=2024-12-21|publisher=BNN Bloomberg}}
= Other proposals =
- Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, and Vatican City are European microstates that are not on the agenda of the EU to be members, nor their own. (See: Microstates and the European Union)
- Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are transcontinental states with some territory in Europe. These countries are not on the agenda of the EU to be members, nor their own. (See: Azerbaijan–European Union relations and Kazakhstan–European Union relations)
- Canada is a non-European country with values, culture, trade, and politics closely linked with the EU. Its membership has been proposed due to this.{{Cite web|url=https://knowledge.insead.edu/strategy/what-if-eu-invited-canada-join-its-bloc|title=What if the EU Invited Canada to Join Its Bloc?|first1=John |last1=Hulsman |first2=Boris|last2=Liedtke|date=8 June 2018|website=INSEAD Knowledge}}{{cite news |last1=Last |first1=John |title=Analysis: With its U.S. alliance under pressure, could Canada join the EU? |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/canada-european-union-1.7446400 |access-date=3 February 2025 |work=CBC News |date=2 February 2025}} (See: Canada–European Union relations)
- Cape Verde and Israel are non-European countries with close historical and political relations with the EU. (See: Cape Verde–European Union relations and Israel–European Union relations)
- The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is a sovereign entity without territory that has extraterritorial headquarters in Palazzo Malta and Villa Malta, as well as observer status in the United Nations and the Council of Europe. (See: Sovereign Military Order of Malta–European Union relations)
- Scotland is a country of the United Kingdom that was part of the European Union as a result of the UK's membership, until the latter withdrew from the EU. The Scottish National Party, which leads Scotland's devolved government, supports Scotland joining the EU as an independent state.{{Cite news |date=2019-11-25 |title=General Election 2019: Scotland would 'seek a way back in' to EU |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50545372 |access-date=2021-10-25 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}
Internal enlargement scenarios
{{See also|Withdrawal from the European Union}}
Internal enlargement is the process of new member states arising from the break-up of an existing member state.{{Cite web |date=22 June 2017 |title=The Internal Enlargement of the European Union |url=https://www.ideasforeurope.eu/publication/the-internal-enlargement-of-the-european-union |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105070055/https://www.ideasforeurope.eu/publication/the-internal-enlargement-of-the-european-union |archive-date=5 January 2018 |access-date=4 January 2018 |website=Centre Maurits Coppieters}}{{Cite web |date=1 May 2014 |title=The 'internal' enlargement of the European Union – is it possible? |url=https://blog.oup.com/2014/05/internal-enlargement-of-european-union-legal-possibility |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620013056/https://blog.oup.com/2014/05/internal-enlargement-of-european-union-legal-possibility |archive-date=20 June 2019 |publisher=Oxford University Press}}{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=The Internal Enlargement of the European Union |url=https://www.ideasforeurope.eu/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/The-internal-enlargement-of-the-EU-Final.pdf.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209061146/https://www.ideasforeurope.eu/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/The-internal-enlargement-of-the-EU-Final.pdf.pdf |archive-date=9 February 2018 |website=Centre Maurits Coppieters}} There have been and are a number of active separatist movements within member states (for example in Catalonia and Flanders) but there are no clear agreements, treaties or precedents covering the scenario of an existing EU member state breaking into two or more states, both of which wish to remain EU member states. The question is whether one state is a successor and one a new applicant or, alternatively, both are new states which must be admitted to the EU.Edward, David, "Scotland's Position in the European Union", Scottish Parliamentary Review, Vol. I, No. 2 (Jan 2014) [Edinburgh: Blacket Avenue Press]{{Cite web |date=25 January 2013 |title=Scottish independence: Irish minister says EU application 'would take time' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-21195630 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231192520/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-21195630 |archive-date=31 December 2019 |access-date=2 February 2013 |website=BBC}}
In some cases, a region desires to leave its state and the EU, namely those regions wishing to join Switzerland. But most, namely the two movements that held referendums during the 2010s, Scotland and Catalonia, see their future as independent states within the EU. This results in great interest in whether, once independent, they would retain EU membership or conversely whether they would have to re-apply. In the later case, since new members must be approved unanimously, any other state which has an interest in blocking their membership to deter similar independence movements could do so.{{Cite news |last1=Rankin |first1=Jennifer |last2=Carrell |first2=Severin |date=13 March 2017 |title=Independent Scotland 'would have to apply to join EU' – Brussels official |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/mar/13/independent-scotland-would-have-to-apply-to-join-eu-commission-says |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112020836/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/mar/13/independent-scotland-would-have-to-apply-to-join-eu-commission-says |archive-date=12 November 2020 |access-date=20 September 2018 |work=The Guardian}}[http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2017/10/10/the-catalan-independence-movement-is-pro-eu-but-will-the-eu-accept-it The Catalan independence movement is pro-EU – but will the EU accept it?] {{Webarchive |url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200809090815/https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2017/10/10/the-catalan-independence-movement-is-pro-eu-but-will-the-eu-accept-it |date=9 August 2020}}, London School of Economics 10/OCT/17 Additionally, it is unclear whether the successor state would retain any opt-outs that the parent state was entitled to.
; Opinions on membership
- European Commission
- Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission (2014–2019): {{qi|If there were to be a 'yes' vote in favour of Catalan independence, then we will respect that opinion. But Catalonia will not be able to be an EU member state on the day after such a vote.}}{{Cite web |date=14 September 2017 |title=Independent Catalonia would need to apply to join EU -Juncker |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-spain-politics-eu/independent-catalonia-would-need-to-apply-to-join-eu-juncker-idUKKCN1BP20W |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011165319/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-spain-politics-eu/independent-catalonia-would-need-to-apply-to-join-eu-juncker-idUKKCN1BP20W |archive-date=11 October 2019 |website=Reuters}} This was repeated in October in an official press release: {{qi|We [...] reiterate the legal position held by this Commission as well as by its predecessors. If a referendum were to be organised in line with the Spanish Constitution it would mean that the territory leaving would find itself outside of the European Union.}}{{Cite press release |title=European Commission – Statement on the events in Catalonia |url=http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-17-3626_en.htm |language=en |access-date=9 December 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101111059/https://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-17-3626_en.htm |archive-date=1 November 2019 |website=europa.eu}}
- José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission (2004–2014), stated in 2012 in the context of the 2014 referendum for independence in Scotland, that any newly independent country would have to apply for membership and negotiate its terms, but that the rest of the original country would not have to re-negotiate its position and would continue its membership.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-20664907 Scottish independence: EC's Barroso says new states need 'apply to join EU'] {{Webarchive |url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201112020903/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-20664907 |date=12 November 2020}}, BBC News, 10 December 2012{{Cite web |title=correspondence from Mr Barroso to the House of lords |url=http://www.parliament.uk/documents/lords-committees/economic-affairs/ScottishIndependence/EA68_Scotland_and_the_EU_Barroso%27s_reply_to_Lord_Tugendhat_101212.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116231143/https://www.parliament.uk/documents/lords-committees/economic-affairs/ScottishIndependence/EA68_Scotland_and_the_EU_Barroso's_reply_to_Lord_Tugendhat_101212.pdf |archive-date=16 November 2019 |access-date=10 December 2012}} In 2014 he said that it would have been 'very difficult' for an independent Scotland to join the EU, 'if not impossible', because of the difficulty of getting the approval of all member states, particularly Spain, which fears a possible secession of Catalonia and has blocked Kosovo's accession to the EU.{{Cite news |last=Holehouse |first=Matthew |date=16 February 2014 |title=Jose Manuel Barroso: nearly impossible for Scotland to join EU |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/10641833/Jose-Manuel-Barroso-nearly-impossible-for-Scotland-to-join-EU.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920190813/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/10641833/Jose-Manuel-Barroso-nearly-impossible-for-Scotland-to-join-EU.html |archive-date=20 September 2020 |access-date=4 September 2014 |work=Sunday Telegraph |location=London |quote=Spain, which fears the separation of the Catalonia region, has blocked the accession of Kosovo ... Jose Manuel Barroso, the president of the European Commission ... went on: 'It will be extremely difficult to get the approval of all the other member states to have a new member coming from one member state.' 'We have seen that Spain has been opposing even the recognition of Kosovo, for instance. It's to some extent a similar case because it's a new country, and so I believe it's going to be extremely difficult, if not impossible.'}}
- Joaquín Almunia (Spanish, being at the time an EU Commissioner) in 2013 claimed that Catalonia would have to apply for EU membership in the event of secession from Spain.{{Cite news |last=Nikolaj |first=Nielsen |date=17 September 2013 |title=EU commission: Catalonia must leave EU if it leaves Spain |url=http://euobserver.com/enlargement/121466 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108093348/https://euobserver.com/enlargement/121466 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |access-date=19 September 2013 |work=EUObserver}}
- Government of Spain
- Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, said in November 2013 that an independent Scotland's entry to the EU would require the consent of all existing members and that an independent Scotland or other regions gaining independence, taken as a reference to Catalonia, would end up outside of the EU.{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Simon |date=27 November 2013 |title=Spanish PM: Independent Scotland would be kicked out of the EU |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10479461/Spanish-PM-Independent-Scotland-would-be-out-of-the-EU.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112010839/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10479461/Spanish-PM-Independent-Scotland-would-be-out-of-the-EU.html |archive-date=12 November 2020 |access-date=3 April 2018 |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London}}{{Cite news |date=3 February 2014 |title=Scottish independence: Spain warning over EU entry |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/scottish-independence-spain-warning-over-eu-entry-1-3292575 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924145840/http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/scottish-independence-spain-warning-over-eu-entry-1-3292575 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=20 November 2019 |work=The Scotsman |location=Edinburgh |quote='They have to resolve a mountain of problems, as Better Together has explained very well,' he said.'You have to achieve candidate status. You have to negotiate 35 chapters . It has to be ratified by the institutions of the EU. It then has to be ratified by 28 national parliaments.'}}
- Spanish Foreign Minister José García-Margallo, having said in February 2012 that Spain would not veto Scottish accession to the EU, provided Scottish independence had UK agreement (thus making it different from Catalan independence).{{Cite news |last=Murray |first=Graeme |date=26 February 2012 |title=Spain will not veto an independent Scotland joining EU |url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/304495/Spain-will-not-veto-an-independent-Scotland-joining-EU |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111225102/https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/304495/Spain-will-not-veto-an-independent-Scotland-joining-EU |archive-date=11 November 2020 |access-date=4 September 2014 |work=Sunday Express |location=London}}
= Basque Country =
{{Main|Basque nationalism}}
The presence of a strong Basque Nationalist movement, a majority in several territories of the Basque Country, makes possible the future existence of an independent Basque Country under different potential territorial configurations. In overall terms the Basque nationalism is pro-European.
= Catalonia =
{{Main|Catalan independence movement}}
On 1 October 2017, the Catalan government held a referendum on independence, which had been declared illegal by the Constitutional Court of Spain, with potential polling stations being cordoned off by riot police. The subsequent events constituted a political crisis for Catalonia. The EU's position is to keep distance from the crisis while supporting Spain's territorial integrity and constitution.{{Cite news |last=Richard |first=Youngs |date=11 July 2017 |title=EU needs a smarter response to the Catalonia crisis |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/catalonia-mariano-rajoy-eu-needs-a-smarter-response-to-the-catalonia-crisis |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109030409/https://www.politico.eu/article/catalonia-mariano-rajoy-eu-needs-a-smarter-response-to-the-catalonia-crisis |archive-date=9 November 2020 |access-date=21 November 2019 |work=Politico}}{{Cite web |last=Teffer |first=Peter |date=22 December 2017 |title=Separatist 'win' does not change EU view on Catalonia |url=https://euobserver.com/elections/140401 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708220731/https://euobserver.com/elections/140401 |archive-date=8 July 2018 |access-date=21 November 2019 |website=EU Observer}} While the debate around Scotland's referendum may inform the Catalan crisis, Catalonia is in a distinct situation from Scotland whereby the central government does not recognise the legitimacy of any independence declaration from Catalonia. If Spain does not recognise the independence of a Catalan state, Catalonia cannot separately join the EU and it is still recognised as part of Spain's EU membership.
= Corsica =
{{Main|Corsican nationalism}}
Corsica has a strong and electorally successful nationalist movement, with positions ranging from autonomy to outright independence, the latter option with around 10–15% public support.{{Cite web |last1=Fourquet |first1=Jérôme |author-link=Jérôme Fourquet |last2=Kraus |first2=François |last3=Bourgine |first3=Alexandre |title=Les Corses et leur perception de la situation sur l'île: Résultats détaillés |url=http://www.ifop.com/media/poll/1904-1-study_file.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050613/http://www.ifop.com/media/poll/1904-1-study_file.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=19 July 2016 |website=ifop.com}} The independist party Corsica Libera envisions an independent Corsica within the European Union as a union of various European peoples, as well as recommendations for alignment within European directives.{{Citation |title=Corsica 21: U prughjettu |work=Corsica Libera |pages=1–150 |date=2015 |url=https://fr.calameo.com/read/006259250183428f1211c |language=fr}}
= Flanders =
{{Further|Flemish Movement|Partition of Belgium}}
There is an active movement towards Flemish independence or union with the Netherlands. The future status of Wallonia and Brussels (the de facto capital of the EU) are unclear as viable political states, perhaps producing a unique situation from Scotland and Catalonia. There are various proposals, both within and outside the independentist movement, for what should happen to Brussels, ranging from staying part of the Belgian rump state, to joining the hypothetical Flemish state, to becoming a separate political entity.{{Cite web |last=Van Parijs |first=Philippe |date=4 October 2007 |title=Brussels after Belgium: fringe town or city state? |url=http://www.uclouvain.be/cps/ucl/doc/etes/documents/2007zp.Brussels_Bulletin.final.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303210907/http://www.uclouvain.be/cps/ucl/doc/etes/documents/2007zp.Brussels_Bulletin.final.pdf |archive-date=3 March 2016 |access-date=29 November 2007 |website=The Bulletin}}{{Cite web |last=Feki |first=Donya |date=29 November 2007 |title=Jean Quatremer: a nation has been born—Flanders |url=http://www.cafebabel.co.uk/article/23093/jean-quatremer-a-nation-has-been-born-flanders.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100309223853/http://www.cafebabel.co.uk/article/23093/jean-quatremer-a-nation-has-been-born-flanders.html |archive-date=9 March 2010 |access-date=29 November 2007 |website=Café Babel}}
= Sardinia =
{{Main|Sardinian nationalism}}
Sardinia has a strong and electorally successful nationalist movement, with positions ranging from autonomy to outright independence. Generally associated with left-wing politics, the Sardinian movement is largely pro-European and pro-environmentalism.Hechter (M.), The Dynamics of Secession, Acta Sociologica, vol. 35, 1992, p. 267.{{Cite web |date=9 April 2014 |title=Entrevista A Marcel Farinelli (1): "Córcega Y Cerdeña Forman Un Archipiélago Invisible Al Tener Sus Islas Nacionalismos De Signo Opuesto" |url=https://xaviercasals.wordpress.com/2014/04/09/entrevista-a-marcel-farinelli-1-corcega-y-cerdena-forman-un-archipielago-invisible-al-tener-sus-islas-nacionalismos-de-signo-opuesto/}}
According to a 2012 survey conducted in a joint effort between the University of Cagliari and that of Edinburgh,{{Cite web|url=https://www.opendemocracy.net/can-europe-make-it/eve-hepburn/what-next-for-independence-movements-in-europe|title=What next for independence movements in Europe? | openDemocracy}}{{Cite web |title=Identità e autonomia in Sardegna – FocuSardegna |url=http://www.focusardegna.com/index.php/eventi/257-identita-e-autonomia-in-sardegna |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714195345/http://www.focusardegna.com/index.php/eventi/257-identita-e-autonomia-in-sardegna |archive-date=14 July 2014}}{{Cite web |date=9 November 2015 |title=La Sardegna che vorrebbe l'indipendenza come i catalani |url=https://www.lastampa.it/cronaca/2015/11/09/news/la-sardegna-che-vorrebbe-l-indipendenza-come-i-catalani-1.35206167 |website=La Stampa}} 41% of Sardinians would be in favour of independence (with 10% choosing it from both Italy and the European Union, and 31% only from Italy with Sardinia remaining in the EU), whilst another 46% would rather have a larger autonomy within Italy and the EU, including fiscal power; 12% of people would be content to remain part of Italy and the EU with a Regional Council without any fiscal powers, and 1% in Italy and the EU without a Regional Council and fiscal powers.{{Cite book |last1=Gianmario Demuro |title=Identità e Autonomia in Sardegna e Scozia |last2=Ilenia Ruggiu |last3=Francesco Mola |publisher=Maggioli Editore |date=2013 |isbn=978-8-8387-8243-5 |pages=35–39}}{{Cite web |title=Focus: La questione identitaria e indipendentista in Sardegna - University of Cagliari, Ilenia Ruggiu |url=http://people.unica.it/ileniaruggiu/files/2014/05/8%C2%B0-La-questione-identitaria-e-indipendentista-in-Sardegna.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815181145/http://people.unica.it/ileniaruggiu/files/2014/05/8%C2%B0-La-questione-identitaria-e-indipendentista-in-Sardegna.pdf |archive-date=15 August 2017 |access-date=17 March 2022}}{{Cite journal |last=Ruggiu |first=Ilenia |date=26 June 2014 |title=The Scottish Referendum: The View from Italy and Sardinia |url=https://www.euppublishing.com/doi/pdfplus/10.3366/scot.2014.0039 |journal=Scottish Affairs |volume=23 |issue=3 |pages=407–414 |doi=10.3366/scot.2014.0039}}{{Cite web |title=Indipendentista il 40% dei sardi (Conferenza delle Regioni e delle Province autonome) |url=http://www.regioni.it/riforme/2015/06/24/sar-regione-pigliaru-indipendentista-il-40-dei-sardi-410441 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065604/http://www.regioni.it/riforme/2015/06/24/sar-regione-pigliaru-indipendentista-il-40-dei-sardi-410441 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=17 January 2023}}{{Cite web |date=1 May 2012 |title=La Sardegna vuole l'indipendenza. Favorevoli 4 sardi su 10 |url=https://www.controcampus.it/2012/05/la-sardegna-vuole-lindipendenza-favorevoli-4-sardi-su-10 |website=controcampus.it}}{{Cite web |date=30 April 2012 |title=gianfrancopintore: Il 40% dei sardi è per l'indipendenza; il resto per la sovranità |url=http://gianfrancopintore.blogspot.com/2012/04/il-40-dei-sardi-e-per-lindipendenza-il.html}}{{Cite web |title=Delibere – Regione Autonoma della Sardegna |url=http://www.regione.sardegna.it/j/v/491?s=198436&v=2&c=27&t=1 |website=regione.sardegna.it}} A 2017 poll by the Ixè Institute found that 51% of those questioned identified as Sardinian (as opposed to an Italian average of 15% identifying by their region of origin), rather than Italian (19%), European (11%) and/or citizen of the world (19%).La Sardegna: lo stato delle cose fra "percepito" e ossatura reale, Istituto Ixè, Fondazione di Sardegna; Vissuto – identità, table n.
Sardinian nationalists address a number of issues, such as the environmental damage caused by the military forces{{Cite web |title=Dark truth behind Sardinia's holiday oasis |url=http://www.news.com.au/finance/business/other-industries/dark-truth-behind-sardinias-holiday-oasis/news-story/8a372818be6d3d0d2c969ab24914df05 |website=news.com.au}}{{Cite web |title=Sardinia: Militarization, Contamination and Cancer in Paradise |url=http://warisacrime.org/downloads/sardinia.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160626131218/http://warisacrime.org/downloads/sardinia.pdf |archive-date=26 June 2016}}{{Cite web |title=Sardegna, La Protesta Contro Le Servitu' |url=http://www.rai.tv/dl/RaiTV/programmi/media/ContentItem-0af16d58-204d-4bc0-aa70-b91b1e7086ed.html |website=rai.tv}}{{Cite web |title=Così in Sardegna si è riacceso l'indipendentismo, Nicola Mirenzi – Europa Quotidiano |url=http://www.europaquotidiano.it/2014/09/17/cosi-in-sardegna-si-e-riacceso-lindipendentismo/}}<
= Veneto =
{{Main|Venetian nationalism}}
Similarly to Sardinia, Veneto has a strong and electorally successful nationalist movement, with positions ranging from autonomy to outright independence. In a controversial online poll held in 2014, 89% of participants were in favour of Veneto becoming "a federal, independent and sovereign state" and 55% supported accession to European Union membership.{{Cite web |title=Veneto Libero, Indipendente (nella Nato in Europa e con l'Euro.... Il Problema è lo STATO ITALIANO) – Rischio Calcolato |url=http://www.rischiocalcolato.it/2014/03/veneto-libero-indipendente-nato-in-europa-leuro-problema-italiano.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140322124151/http://www.rischiocalcolato.it/2014/03/veneto-libero-indipendente-nato-in-europa-leuro-problema-italiano.html |archive-date=2014-03-22 |access-date=2014-03-25 |publisher=rischiocalcolato.it}} Three years later, in the 2017 autonomy referendum, with a 58% turnout, 98% of the participants voted in favour of "further forms and special conditions of autonomy to be attributed to the Region of Veneto".{{Cite web|url=https://referendum2017.consiglioveneto.it//sites/index.html#!/riepilogo|title=Referendum consultivo|website=referendum2017.consiglioveneto.it}} Consequently, negotiations between the Venetian government and the Italian one started.
The longstanding and largest Venetist party, Liga Veneta (LV), was established in 1979 under the slogan "farther from Rome, closer to Europe",{{Cite web |date=2 July 1993 |title=L'Europa Secondo la Lega |url=https://www.limesonline.com/cartaceo/leuropa-secondo-la-lega}} but has later adopted more Eurosceptic positions. Luca Zaia, a LV member who has served as president of Veneto since 2010, usually self-describes as a pro-Europeanist and has long advocated for a "Europe of regions" and "macro-regions".{{Cite web|url=https://www.regione.veneto.it/web/sede-di-bruxelles/dettaglio-news?articleId=2856147|title=dettaglio news – Regione del Veneto}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.liberoquotidiano.it/news/politica/11609672/europee-zaia-serve-un-europa-forte-e-delle-regioni.html|title=Europee: Zaia, serve un'Europa forte e delle Regioni|website=www.liberoquotidiano.it}}{{Cite web |date=22 September 2017 |title=Zaia: "Noi come la CatalognaMi farei anche arrestare" |url=https://corrieredelveneto.corriere.it/veneto/cronaca/17_settembre_22/noi-come-catalognaandremo-fino-fondomi-farei-anche-arrestare-1b08e6cc-9f5f-11e7-8953-3e421c8e7b9d.shtml}}{{Cite web |date=10 October 2023 |title=Zaia: "Risorse Ue sono soldi anche nostri, vanno spesi bene" |url=https://www.eunews.it/2023/10/10/zaia-risorse-ue-sono-soldi-anche-nostri}}
Member state expansion scenarios
This scenario consists of the event of an EU member state taking over a land area outside the union, previously independent or part of a different country. One such event has taken place in history, when East Germany became part of a united Germany in 1991.
= Cyprus =
{{Further|European Union–Northern Cyprus relations}}
Officially, the island nation of Cyprus is part of the European Union, under the de jure sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus. Turkish Cypriots are citizens of the Republic of Cyprus and thus of the European Union, and were entitled to vote in the 2004 European Parliament election (though only a few hundred registered). The EU's acquis communautaire is suspended indefinitely in the northern third of the island, which has remained outside the control of the Republic of Cyprus since the Turkish invasion of 1974. The Greek Cypriot community rejected the Annan Plan for the settlement of the Cyprus dispute in a referendum on 24 April 2004. Had the referendum been in favour of the settlement proposal, the island (excluding the British Sovereign Base Areas) would have joined the European Union as the United Cyprus Republic. The European Union's relations with the Turkish Cypriot Community are handled by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Enlargement.{{Cite web |date=3 January 2007 |title=Turkish Cypriot community |url=http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/turkish_cypriot_community/index_en.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101210081344/http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/turkish_cypriot_community/index_en.htm |archive-date=10 December 2010 |website=European Commission — Directorate-General for Enlargement}}
= Ireland =
{{Further|United Ireland}}
The European Council has recognised that following the UK withdrawal from the EU, if Northern Ireland were to be incorporated into a united Ireland it would automatically rejoin the EU under the current Irish membership. A historical precedent for this was the incorporation of East Germany into the Federal Republic of Germany as a single European Communities member state.{{Cite web |date=1 May 2017 |title=Outcome of the special European Council (Article 50) meeting of 29 April 2017 |url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/ATAG/2017/603226/EPRS_ATA%282017%29603226_EN.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181228040144/http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/ATAG/2017/603226/EPRS_ATA(2017)603226_EN.pdf |archive-date=28 December 2018 |access-date=26 December 2017 |website=European Parliament}}{{Cite news |last=Rankin |first=Jennifer |date=28 April 2017 |title=Europe could allow a united Ireland to join EU after Brexit |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/apr/27/eu-to-debate-recognising-united-ireland-to-allow-swift-return-for-north |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812075200/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/apr/27/eu-to-debate-recognising-united-ireland-to-allow-swift-return-for-north |archive-date=12 August 2020 |access-date=23 July 2020 |work=The Guardian}}
= Romania =
{{Further|Unification of Moldova and Romania}}
Opinion polls in both Moldova and Romania show significant support for the unification of the two countries, based on their reciprocal historical and cultural ties.{{Cite web |last=Nescutu |first=Madalin |date=7 April 2021 |title=Numărul unioniștilor, în creștere accelerată în Moldova: cel mai recent sondaj arată că 44% dintre ei vor unirea cu România |trans-title=The number of unionists, growing rapidly in Moldova: the latest poll shows that 44% of them want union with Romania |url=https://www.g4media.ro/numarul-unionistilor-in-crestere-accelerata-in-moldova-cel-mai-recent-sondaj-arata-ca-44-dintre-ei-vor-unirea-cu-romania.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506175041/https://www.g4media.ro/numarul-unionistilor-in-crestere-accelerata-in-moldova-cel-mai-recent-sondaj-arata-ca-44-dintre-ei-vor-unirea-cu-romania.html |archive-date=6 May 2021 |access-date=6 July 2021 |website=g4media.ro |language=ro-RO}}{{Cite web |date=5 September 2023 |title=Romania-Moldova reunification: Three scenarios |url=https://www.gisreportsonline.com/r/romania-moldova-reunification/}} Such a scenario would result in Moldova becoming part of an enlarged Romania and therefore receiving the benefits and obligations of the latter's EU membership.{{Cite web |date=5 March 2015 |title=A union between Moldova and Romania: On the cards? |url=https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/127824 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108190246/https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/127824 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |website=EUObserver}} An obstacle would be the existence of the breakaway Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria), which is considered by Moldova and most of the international community to be de jure part of Moldova's sovereign territory but is de facto independent. Transnistria's absence of strong historical or cultural links to Romania and its close political and military relationship with Russia have been seen as major hurdles to integration of the region with both Romania and the EU. Another likely barrier from within Moldova would be opposition on the part of the autonomous territory of Gagauzia, whose population has been mostly against integration with Romania since at least the 1990s.{{Cite web |date=27 July 2023 |title=Moldova and Romania: A Long and Complicated Relationship | Origins |url=https://origins.osu.edu/read/moldova-and-romania-long-and-complicated-relationship?language_content_entity=en}} A 2014 referendum held by the Gagauzian government showed both overwhelming support for the region joining the Customs Union of the Eurasian Economic Union and a similar level of rejection to closer ties with the EU.{{Cite news |date=4 February 2014 |title=Gagauzia Voters Choose Russia over EU |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-gagauz-referendum-counting/25251251.html |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty}}
Possible incorporation of special member state territories
File:Special member state territories and the European Union.svg
There are multiple special member state territories, some of which are not fully covered by the EU treaties and apply EU law only partially, if at all. It is possible for a dependency to change its status regarding the EU or some particular treaty or law provision. The territory may change its status from participation to leaving or from being outside to joining.
= Danish self-governing territories =
== Faroe Islands ==
{{Main|Faroe Islands and the European Union}}
The Faroe Islands, a self-governing nation within the Kingdom of Denmark, is not part of the EU, as explicitly asserted by both Rome treaties.{{Cite web |date=1 January 2004 |title=Treaty establishing the European community, last revision from Nice 2001, Art.299(6)a |url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/treaties/dat/12002E/htm/C_2002325EN.003301.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131116105433/http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/treaties/dat/12002E/htm/C_2002325EN.003301.html |archive-date=16 November 2013 |access-date=7 January 2011 |website=EUR-Lex}} The relations with the EU are governed by a Fisheries Agreement (1977) and a Free Trade Agreement (1991, revised 1998). The main reason for remaining outside the EU is disagreements about the Common Fisheries Policy,{{Cite web |last=Spongenberg |first=Helena |date=4 May 2006 |title=Fish keep Faroe Islands at a distance from EU |url=http://euobserver.com/9/21516 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605073827/http://euobserver.com/9/21516 |archive-date=5 June 2011 |access-date=21 November 2019 |website=EUobserver.com}} which disfavours countries with large fish resources. Also, every member has to pay for the Common Agricultural Policy, which favours countries having much agriculture which the Faroe Islands does not. When Iceland was in membership negotiations around 2010, there was a hope of better conditions for fish-rich countries{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}, but to no avail. The Common Fisheries Policy was introduced in 1970 for the very reason of getting access for the first EC members to waters of candidate countries, namely the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Denmark including the Faroe Islands.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}
Nevertheless, there are politicians, mainly in the right-wing Union Party (Sambandsflokkurin), led by their chairman Kaj Leo Johannesen, who would like to see the Faroes as a member of the EU. However, the chairman of the left-wing Republic (Tjóðveldi), Høgni Hoydal, has expressed concerns that if the Faroes were to join the EU as is, they might vanish inside the EU, comparing this with the situation of the Shetland Islands and Åland today, and wants the local government to solve the political situation between the Faroes and Denmark first.{{Cite web |title=Portal.fo |url=http://www.portal.fo/sub_page/grein_pdf.php?ide=46055 |access-date=7 January 2011 |language=fo}}{{Dead link |date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}
== Greenland ==
{{Main|Greenland and the European Union}}
Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and became part of the EEC (the predecessor entity of the EU) when Denmark joined in 1973. After the establishment of Greenland's home rule in 1979, which made it an autonomous community, Greenland held a referendum on EEC membership. The result was (mainly because of the Common Fisheries Policy) to leave, so on 1 February 1985, Greenland left the EEC and EURATOM. Its status was changed to that of an Overseas Country.{{Cite web |date=22 June 2016 |title=Greenland's exit warning to Britain |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/greenland-exit-warning-to-britain-brexit-eu-referendum-europe-vote-news-denmark |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018153048/https://www.politico.eu/article/greenland-exit-warning-to-britain-brexit-eu-referendum-europe-vote-news-denmark |archive-date=18 October 2019 |access-date=18 October 2019 |website=Polotico.eu}}{{Cite journal |date=1 February 1985 |title=Legislation (Greenland) |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L:1985:029:FULL&from=EL |url-status=live |journal=Official Journal of the European Communities |volume=28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211102030/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L:1985:029:FULL&from=EL |archive-date=11 December 2020 |access-date=27 December 2020}} Danish nationals residing in Greenland (i.e. all native population) are nonetheless fully European citizens; they are not, however, entitled to vote in European elections.
There has been some speculation as to whether Greenland may consider rejoining the now-European Union. On 4 January 2007, the Danish daily Jyllands-Posten quoted the former Danish minister for Greenland, Tom Høyem, as saying {{qi|I would not be surprised if Greenland again becomes a member of the EU... The EU needs the Arctic window and Greenland cannot alone manage the gigantic Arctic possibilities}}.{{Cite news |date=5 January 2007 |title=Greenland could re-join the EU |url=http://euobserver.com/844/23194?rss_rk=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120191436/http://euobserver.com/844/23194?rss_rk=1 |archive-date=20 January 2008 |access-date=25 June 2007 |work=EUobserver Review}} Greenland has a lot of natural resources, and Greenland has, especially during the 2000s commodities boom, contracted foreign private companies to exploit some of them, but the cost is considered too high, as Greenland is remote and severely lacks infrastructure which has to be built. After 2013 prices declined so such efforts stalled.
The Brexit debate has reignited talk about the EU in Greenland with calls for the island to join the Union again.{{Cite web |last=Baume |first=Maïa de La |date=22 June 2016 |title=Greenland's exit warning to Britain |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/greenland-exit-warning-to-britain-brexit-eu-referendum-europe-vote-news-denmark |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018153048/https://www.politico.eu/article/greenland-exit-warning-to-britain-brexit-eu-referendum-europe-vote-news-denmark |archive-date=18 October 2019 |access-date=18 October 2019 |website=politico.eu}} In 2024, an opinion poll found that 60 percent of Greenland's population would vote in favour of re-joining the EU.{{Cite web|url=https://knr.gl/da/nyheder/flertal-vil-have-groenland-tilbage-i-eu|title=Opsigtsvækkende resultat: Flertal vil have Grønland tilbage i EU|trans-title=Startling result: Majority wants Greenland back in the EU|language=da|publisher=Greenlandic Broadcasting Corporation|author=Mads Malik Fuglsang Holm|date=13 December 2024|access-date=16 December 2024}}
= Dutch Caribbean territories =
The islands of Aruba and Curaçao, as well as Sint Maarten, are constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, while Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba are special Dutch municipalities. All are Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) under Annex II of the EC treaty. OCTs are considered to be "associated" with the EU and apply some portions of EU law. The islands are opting to become an Outermost Region (OMR) of the EU, a status in which the islands form a part of the European Union, though they benefit from derogations (exceptions) from some EU laws due to their geographical remoteness from mainland Europe. The islands are focusing on gaining the same status as the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, and the French overseas departments.
When Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba were established as Dutch public bodies after the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles (which was an OCT) in 2010, their status within the EU was raised. Rather than change their status from an OCT to an outermost region, as their change in status within the Netherlands would imply, it was decided that their status would remain the same for at least five years. After those five years, their status would be reviewed.{{Update inline|date=January 2021}}
If it was decided that if one or all of the islands wish to integrate more with the EU then the Treaty of Lisbon provides for that following a unanimous decision from the European Council.{{Cite web |title=Treaty of Lisbon Article 2, point 293 |url=http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cmsUpload/cg00014.en07.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025165313/http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cmsUpload/cg00014.en07.pdf |archive-date=25 October 2017 |access-date=2 June 2008}} Former European Commissioner for Enlargement Danuta Hübner has said before the European Parliament that she does not expect many problems to occur with such a status change, as the population of the islands is only a few thousand people.{{Citation needed|date=September 2018}}
= French overseas departments and collectivities =
The territories of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte and Réunion are overseas departments of France and at the same time mono-departmental overseas regions. According to the EC treaty (article 299 2), all of these departments are outermost regions (OMR) of the EU—hence provisions of the EC treaty apply there while derogations are allowed. The status of the Overseas collectivity of Saint-Martin is also defined as OMR by the Treaty of Lisbon. New Caledonia and the overseas collectivities of French Polynesia, Saint-Barthelemy, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and Wallis and Futuna are Overseas Countries and Territories of the EU.
== New Caledonia ==
New Caledonia is an overseas part of France with its own unique status under the French Constitution, which is distinct from that of overseas departments and collectivities. It is defined as an "overseas country of France" under the 1998 Nouméa Accord, and enjoys a high degree of self-government.{{Cite web |title=Countries – Pacific – New Caledonia – Information Paper – NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade |url=http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Countries/Pacific/New-Caledonia.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128203127/http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Countries/Pacific/New-Caledonia.php |archive-date=28 January 2013 |access-date=9 December 2013 |website=mfat.govt.nz}} Currently, in regard to the EU, it is one of the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT).
As a result of the Nouméa Accord, New Caledonians voted in three consecutive independence referendums in 2018, 2020, and 2021. The referendums were to determine whether the territory would remain a part of the French Republic as a "sui generis collectivity", or whether it would become an independent state. The accords also specify a gradual devolution of powers to the local New Caledonian assembly. The results of all three referendums determined that New Caledonia would remain a part of the French Republic.
See also
- Eastern Partnership
- Euronest Parliamentary Assembly
- European integration
- EU Strategy for the South Caucasus
- Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, a funding mechanism for EU candidate countries
- Politics of Europe
- Referendums related to the European Union
- Treaty of Accession 1994
- Treaty of Accession 2003
- Treaty of Accession 2005
- Treaty of Accession 2011
- Withdrawal from the European Union
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
Further reading
- {{Cite web |date=16 September 2014 |title=Ukraine ratifies EU association agreement |url=http://www.dw.de/ukraine-ratifies-eu-association-agreement/a-17925681 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317063405/http://www.dw.de/ukraine-ratifies-eu-association-agreement/a-17925681 |archive-date=17 March 2015 |access-date=27 December 2020 |website=Deutsche Welle}}
- {{Cite web |date=17 July 2014 |title=European Parliament resolution of 17 July 2014 on Ukraine (2014/2717(RSP)) |url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2014-0009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124035423/http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2014-0009 |archive-date=24 January 2016 |access-date=20 July 2015 |website=European Parliament |quote=pursuant to Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine – like any other European state – have a European perspective and may apply to become members of the Union provided that they adhere to the principles of democracy, respect fundamental freedoms and human and minority rights and ensure the rule of law;}}
External links
- [https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_en EU enlargement]{{snd}}Europa (web portal)
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070930204403/http://www.ena.lu/?lang=2&doc=20806 European Union Member States and applicant countries]{{snd}}European NAvigator
- {{Cite journal |last1=Bahhouth |first1=Victor |last2=Ziemnowicz |first2=Christopher |date=6 March 2018 |title=Meeting the Global Challenges of Doing Business in the Five Candidate Countries on the Road to Join the European Union |journal=Journal of the Knowledge Economy |volume=10 |issue=3 |pages=1297–1318 |doi=10.1007/s13132-018-0531-3 |s2cid=158074120}}
- {{Cite journal |last1=Dimitrijevic |first1=Vojin |last2=Hartmann |first2=Florence |last3=Jovic |first3=Dejan |last4=Memisevic |first4=Tija |date=June 2009 |title=War crimes, conditionality and EU integration in the Western Balkans |url=http://www.iss.europa.eu/nc/actualites/actualite/article/war-crimes-conditionality-and-eu-integration-in-the-western-balkans |url-status=dead |journal=Chaillot Papers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091223124202/http://www.iss.europa.eu/nc/actualites/actualite/article/war-crimes-conditionality-and-eu-integration-in-the-western-balkans |archive-date=2009-12-23 |number=116 |editor-first1=Judy |editor-last1=Batt |editor-first2=Jelena |editor-last2=Obradović}}
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Category:Enlargement of the European Union