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

Policy Highlights

The EU's enlargement policy deals with the countries currently aspiring to become members of the European Union. A number of cross-cutting policy issues are of concern to most countries aspiring to join the EU, including:

Rule of Law
The EU is based on the rule of law: every action taken by it is founded on treaties approved voluntarily and democratically by all EU member countries
Civil Society
For an aspiring EU member country, a vibrant civil society contributes to fulfilling the conditions for EU membership
Regional cooperation
Regional cooperation is an essential element of stabilisation and association – the process guiding the Western Balkan countries towards EU membership
Common Regional Market
A catalyst for deeper regional economic integration and a stepping stone towards EU Single Market
Economic governance
Fulfilment of the economic criteria is a key requirement for EU membership, as set out in the Copenhagen criteria
SME Performance Review
The EU promotes enterprise policies and industrial strategies designed to boost competitiveness within the Union

There are strict conditions for membership to ensure that new members are admitted only when they are fully able to take on the obligations of EU membership. This includes compliance with all the EU's standards and rules. For the purpose of accession negotiations, these are divided into 35 different policy fields (chapters).