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Aid, Development cooperation, Fundamental rights
European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR)

Glossary

Acceding countries

Countries that have signed the treaty of accession* obtain the status of 'acceding countries' and are expected to become full member states on the date set out in the treaty. During the interim period, acceding countries benefit from special arrangements: they are kept informed of EU legislation via an information and consultation procedure and are given the opportunity to comment on proposals; they hold an active observer status in all the relevant bodies, in which they have the right to speak but not to vote.

Accession criteria

The accession criteria, or Copenhagen criteria (after the European Council in Copenhagen in 1993 which defined them), are the essential conditions all candidate countries must satisfy to become a member state. These are:

  • political criteria: stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities;
  • economic criteria: a functioning market economy and the capacity to cope with competition and market forces;
  • administrative and institutional capacity to effectively implement the acquis* and ability to take on the obligations of membership.

The Union's capacity to absorb new members, while maintaining the momentum of European integration, is also an important consideration.
The EU reserves the right to decide when a candidate country* has met these criteria and when the EU is ready to accept the new member.
For more details, see the following sections on our website:

Accession negotiations

Negotiations take place in intergovernmental conferences between member states and the candidate country. They relate to the conditions under which the country will be admitted to the EU and focus on the adoption and implementation of the EU's body of law (the acquis*).

The acquis is divided into a number of chapters*, each covering a specific policy area. Negotiations help candidate countries to prepare to fulfil the obligations of EU membership. They also allow the EU to prepare itself for enlargement in terms of integration capacity.*

The results of the negotiations are incorporated into a draft accession treaty, once the negotiations on all chapters have been closed.
For more details, see the following sections on our website:

Accession partnership

Accession partnerships define the framework of the accession process. They set out:

Each candidate country draws up a national programme for the adoption of the acquis* (NPAA), which sets out a timetable for putting the partnership into effect. Each candidate country also draws up an action plan for strengthening its administrative and judicial capacities.

For more details, see the following sections on our website:

Accession to the EU

Accession of new member states to the European Union (EU) is governed by Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union. A state that wishes to apply for membership of the Union must satisfy two conditions:

  1. it must be a European state;
  2. it must respect the common values of the Member States and undertake to promote them. These are human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities (Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union).

Accession is not automatic, since it depends on the adequate preparation of the applicant country concerned and on the EU's capacity to integrate the new member. There is thus a pre-accession period of varying length, during which the candidate country adapts its institutions, standards and infrastructure to enable it to meet its obligations as a member state. The accession process involves compliance with the accession criteria*, including adoption and implementation of the acquis*.

The conditions and date of accession, any transition periods required and the adjustments to the Treaties on which the Union is founded must be agreed in the form of an accession treaty between the candidate country and the Member States. To give due form to the accession, this treaty is signed and ratified by all the Member States and the candidate country in accordance with their own constitutional rules. The European Parliament gives its consent.

For more details, see the following sections on our website:

Acquis

The acquis is the body of common rights and obligations that is binding on all the EU member states. It is constantly evolving and comprises:

  • the content, principles and political objectives of the Treaties;
  • legislation adopted pursuant to the Treaties and the case law of the Court of Justice;
  • declarations and resolutions adopted by the Union;
  • instruments under the Common Foreign and Security Policy;
  • international agreements concluded by the Union and those entered into by the member states among themselves within the sphere of the Union's activities.

Candidate countries* have to accept the acquis before they can join the EU and make EU law part of their own national legislation. Adoption and implementation of the acquis are the basis of the accession negotiations*.

For more details, see the following sections on our website:

Application for EU membership

The Treaty on European Union (Article 49) lays down the conditions a candidate country must meet to become a member state: any European state which respects the common values of the Member States and undertake to promote them may apply to become a member of the Union. These values include human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities (Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union).

The application is submitted to the Council, while the European Parliament and national Parliaments are notified (see also Accession to the EU).

For more details, see the following sections on our website:

Association agreement

An association agreement is a bilateral agreement between the EU and a third country. In the context of accession to the EU, it serves as the basis for implementation of the accession process. Turkey currently has an association agreement. Association agreements between the Western Balkan countries and the EU and its Member States are called 'stabilisation and association agreements'.

For more details, see the following sections on our website:

Autonomous trade measures

Products originating in the Western Balkan countries benefit since 2000 from autonomous trade measures, allowing (with a few exceptions) for their free entry into the EU without customs duties or quantitative restrictions. In most cases, the autonomous trade measures have been superseded by the stabilisation and association agreements, which provide for the establishment of free trade on a contractual basis.

For more details, see the following section on our website:

CARDS

The programme of Community Assistance for Reconstruction, Development and Stabilisation (CARDS) for the Western Balkan countries, replaced by the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA)* in 2007.

For more details, see the following section on our website:

Candidate countries

An applicant country for European Union membership* may be granted candidate country status by the European Council on the basis of a recommendation by the European Commission.

Candidate country status does not give a right to join the Union automatically. The Commission examines the application in light of the accession criteria (Copenhagen criteria)* and draws up an opinion, while the European Council decides to open accession negotiations* with the candidate country.

Chapters of the acquis / negotiating chapters

The chapters of the acquis (presently 35) form the basis of the accession negotiations* for each candidate country*. They correspond to the different areas of the acquis* for which reforms are needed in order to meet the accession conditions. The candidate countries are required to adapt their administrative and institutional infrastructures and to bring their national legislation into line with EU legislation in these areas. The different chapters are reviewed during the screening of the acquis* and are evaluated regularly up until the time each chapter is closed.

For more details, see the following sections on our website:

Cross-border co-operation

Cross-border co-operation (CBC) under the Instrument for Preaccession Assistance (IPA)* supports cross-border cooperation between enlargement countries and between these and EU Member States.

For more details, see the following section on our website:

Decentralisation

Decentralisation is the process whereby management of European Union funds is delegated to the administrations of the beneficiary countries. It implies the setting up of competent infrastructures by the beneficiary countries and effective control of fund management by the European institutions.

For more details, see the following sections on our website:

Enlargement

The European Union (EU) currently has 27 Member States. Following the first six Member States — Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands — 21 countries have acceded to the Union:

1973: Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom;

1981: Greece;

1986: Spain and Portugal;

1995: Austria, Finland and Sweden;

2004: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia;

2007: Bulgaria and Romania;

2013: Croatia.

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye and Ukraine have the status of candidate countries.

Kosovo* is engaged in the Stabilisation and Association Process, but together with Georgia has not yet been recognized as candidates; they have the status of potential candidates.

Europe agreement

The Europe agreements were association agreements between the EU and its Member States and the Central and Eastern European countries that joined the EU in 2004/2007. They formed the legal framework for the accession process of these countries to the EU.

For more details, see the following sections on our website:

European Partnerships

European partnerships are instruments of the Stabilisation and Association process* and lay down the principles, priorities and conditions of the relations between the EU and Western Balkan potential candidate countries and serve to prepare them for European integration. They aim at promoting stability in the Western Balkan region while bringing it closer to EU standards through alignment with the acquis*.
For more details, see the following sections on our website:

IPA

Since 2007, both candidate countries and potential candidates have received EU funding and support through a single instrument – the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, or IPA. The total pre-accession funding for the period 2007-2013 is € 11.5 billion.

IPA has replaced the former pre-accession assistance* instruments, i.e. the Phare*, ISPA* and SAPARD* programmes, the specific pre-accession instrument for Turkey and the CARDS* programme.
IPA consists of the following five components:

  • Transition Assistance and Institution Building;
  • Cross-Border Cooperation;
  • Regional Development;
  • Human Resources Development;
  • Rural Development.

For more details, see the following sections on our website:

ISPA

The Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre-Accession (ISPA) was designed to address environmental and transport infrastructure priorities identified in the Accession Partnerships with the 10 applicant countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Its aim was to enhance economic and social cohesion in the applicant countries.

It was replaced by the regional development component of the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA)* in 2007.

For more details, see the following sections on our website:

Institution building

Reinforcing the institutional and administrative capacity in candidate countries* and potential candidates* is financed by the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA)*. Funds are allocated to the strengthening of democratic institutions, public administrations and organisations at central, regional and local level that implement EU legislation. Institution building is assisted by TAIEX* for short-term assignments and furthered by Twinning*

For more details, see the following sections on our website:

Integration capacity

The EU's capacity to integrate new members. While the acceding countries must be ready and able to fully assume the obligations of membership, the Union must be able to function effectively and to develop. Previously known as 'absorption capacity' .

Monitoring of the negotiations

A monitoring procedure is in place to assess candidate countries’* progress towards fulfilling their commitments during the negotiation process. Monitoring takes place during the accession negotiations* and during the interim period following the signature of the treaty of accession* until the accession itself.

For more details, see the following sections on our website:

Multi-beneficiary and horizontal programmes

Multi-beneficiary programmes under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA)* provide EU financial aid for projects that require collaboration between several beneficiaries (such as regional structures, networks of experts or civil servants) or to tackle issues of a cross-border nature. The assistance includes:

  • Cooperation with international financial institutions
  • Civil society dialogue and development
  • Education actions
  • Actions to help beneficiaries meet the requirements for EU membership and align their standards with the EU

Multi-beneficiary programmes complement individual national programmes* by focusing on regional aspects and helping countries to learn from each other's experience.
For more details, see the following sections on our website:

National Development Programme

The national development programme is the candidate country’s* action programme for regional development. It sets out the strategy, priorities and programme necessary to strengthen the investing in the acquis* priority on economic and social cohesion under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA)*.

For more details, see the following sections on our website:

National Programme

National programmes serve to strengthen the adoption and implementation of the acquis* by candidate countries*. The National Programme is the main project to benefit from the Instrument for pre-accession assistance (IPA)*.

For more details, see the following sections on our website:

Negotiating framework

The negotiating framework establishes the guidelines and principles for the accession negotiations* with each candidate country*. The European Commission draws up a draft negotiating framework, the EU member states adopt it and the Council Presidency presents it at the start of the accession negotiations.

For more details, see the following sections on our website:

Participation in EU Programmes, Agencies and Committees

The purpose of participating in EU programmes, agencies and committees is to help enlargement countries become familiar with EU policies and instruments and to enhance co-operation before accession. The principle of participation was agreed by the European Council in December 1997 for candidate countries* and in 2003 – for Western Balkan countries. Participation is decided on a case by case basis for each programme, agency and committee.

Phare

Phare was one of the main pre-accession assistance* instruments for the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. It has been replaced by the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA)* for the current enlargement countries.

For more details, see the following section on our website:

Potential candidates

Since June 2000 (European Council of Feira), all EU partners in the Western Balkans involved in the Stabilisation and Association process*, which are not yet recognised as candidates, are considered potential candidates for EU membership. Currently, Kosovo and Georgia are potential candidates.

For more details, see the following sections on our website:

Pre-accession assistance

Pre-accession assistance helps the candidates and potential candidates for EU membership meet the accession criteria* and bring their institutions and standards in line with the EU acquis*. For the period 2007 – 2013, the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA)* is the sole funding vehicle dedicated to pre-accession.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) also provide co-funding for the candidate countries*.

Once they join the Union, the new member states, which are no longer entitled to pre-accession assistance, may receive temporary financial assistance through a Transition Facility* provided for by the treaty of accession.

For more details, see the following sections on our website:

Pre-accession strategy

The pre-accession strategy sets out a framework for each candidate country’s* accession process. The pre-accession strategy presents procedures and priorities; it lays down the instruments on which the process is based:

For more details, see the following sections on our website:

Regional co-operation

The European Union promotes regional co-operation with the aim of enhancing regional stability and security. Regional co-operation must be a factor of integration through the development of infrastructures and networks and the establishment of free trade areas between neighbouring countries. Regional co-operation is an essential element of the Stabilisation and Association process*.

For more details, see the following sections on our website:

SAPARD

The Special Accession Programme for Agricultural and Rural Development (SAPARD) was a key financial instrument to support the beneficiary countries of Central and Eastern Europe in dealing with the structural adjustment in their agricultural sectors and rural areas. It was replaced by the rural development component of the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA)* in 2007.

For more details, see the following section on our website:

Screening of the acquis

Screening, or analytical examination of the acquis*, is a preparatory phase of accession negotiations*.

The screening process is carried out jointly by the Commission and each of the candidate countries. This process allows the latter to familiarise themselves with the acquis and, subsequently, to indicate their level of alignment with EU legislation and outline plans for further alignment.

A further purpose of screening is to identify those areas of the acquis in which progress is needed if the candidate countries' legislation is to be compatible with the EU rules. These areas are divided into chapters*.

For more details, see the following sections on our website:

Stabilisation and Association Agreement

The Stabilisation and Association Agreement constitutes the framework of relations between the European Union and the Western Balkan countries for implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Process*. The agreements are adapted to the specific situation of each partner country and, while establishing a free trade area between the EU and the country concerned, they also identify common political and economic objectives and encourage regional co-operation*. In the context of accession to the European Union, the agreement serves as the basis for implementation of the accession process.

For more details, see the following sections on our website:

Stabilisation and Association Process

The Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP) is the European Union's policy towards the Western Balkans, established with the aim of eventual EU membership. Western Balkan countries are involved in a progressive partnership with a view of stabilising the region and establishing a free-trade area. The SAP sets out common political and economic goals although progress evaluation is based on countries' own merits.
The SAP was launched in June 1999 and strengthened at the Thessaloniki Summit in June 2003 taking over elements of the accession process. It rests on:

For more details, see the following sections on our website:

Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe

The Stability Pact was established in 1999 at the initiative of the European Union with the aim of establishing and reinforcing peace and security in South-Eastern Europe and involved countries and international organisations as partners.

The Stability Pact has been superseded by the Regional Co-operation Council in 2008, which now oversees regional co-operation in South Eastern Europe and supports the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of the region.

For more details, see the organisations' websites:

TAIEX

The Technical Assistance and Information Exchange (TAIEX) is an institution building* instrument financed by IPA* for short-term assistance in adoption, application and enforcement of the acquis*. It is available to candidate countries and potential candidates, acceding countries, as well as to countries involved in the European Neighbourhood Policy.

TAIEX centralises requests for help from both the public authorities and the private sector and brokers contacts between the requesters and the member states. It deploys seconded experts and arranges peer reviews, study or assessment visits, seminars, workshops and training. It also helps with the translation of legislation and provides expert databases and information on the alignment of legislation.

For more details, see the following sections on our website:

Transition facility

The Transition Facility is the post-accession financial assistance granted to countries that joined the EU in 2004, 2007. The assistance will also be granted to Croatia when it joins the Union on 1 July, 2013. The Transition Facility is meant to strengthen the new Member States' administrative capacity to implement EU legislation and to encourage exchange of best practice among peers. The temporary financial assistance addresses the need for strengthening institutional capacity in certain areas through action which could not be financed by Structural Funds.

For more details, see the following section on our website:

Treaty of accession

The treaty of accession is signed by the member states and the acceding country* once accession negotiations* have come to a close. Accession is not however automatic as the Treaty has to be ratified by the Member States and the acceding country. The Treaty enters into force after ratification on a date that has been previously determined, setting out the conditions and arrangements regarding accession, including the rights and obligations of the new Member State as well as adaptations to the EU institutions.

For more details, see the following sections on our website:

Twinning

Twinning is a European Union instrument for institutional cooperation between Public Administrations of EU Member States and of beneficiary or partner countries.

Twinning projects bring together public sector expertise from EU Member States and beneficiary countries with the aim of achieving concrete mandatory operational results through peer to peer activities.

Beneficiaries

- Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA):

  • Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo*, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey.

- European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP):

  • ENI South: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine* and Tunisia.
  • ENI East: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

For more details, see the following sections on our website: