European Union - Topics and Issues: Expansion of the European Union

Recent developments related to EU expansion

June 16-17, 1997 - Amsterdam Summit
- News reports following the EU summit in June concerning the future of enlargement talks have left many of the applicant countries optimistic, but frustrated, as delegates from EU member states were unable to resolve key issues related to institutional reforms that could delay the planned enlargement. The most pressing problems which will need to be addressed include finding ways to make the European Commission more efficient and responsive, extension of majority voting within the European Parliament , and further clarification of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).
July 15-16, 1997 - Strasbourg, France
- The European Commission published on Wednesday its long awaited recommendations for which applicant states would be admitted into talks concerning entry into the European Union. The states being considered for the talks were Poland, the Czech Republic , Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Bulgaria and Romania. Much to the disapointment of several of the former Soviet-bloc countries, the European Commission agreed Tuesday that Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia and Eston ia should be invited to take part in talks on the EU's first expansion into Eastern Europe. Cyprus, whose application was previously approved by the EC, will join the Eastern European countries in entrance talks and bring the proposed size of the expand ed EU to 21. The policy document, known as Agenda 2000, which was adopted by the executive before being presented to the European Parliament, sets out in detail the institutional changes which w ill be necessary for the planned expansion. In addition, the document contains instructions to all 10 Eastern European states that further economic reforms would be necessary before the EU would be opening its doors to new members. Turkey, whose applicat ion has been taken out of consideration for the time being on human rights grounds, was offered a meager concession in the form of a stronger customs union.
  In a show of good faith to the the five Eastern European countries not accepted for expansion talks, the European Commission has created a "cozy waiting room" for the aspiring states to realize the political and economic requirements of entry into the EU. Under the plan each reject's application will remain on the table and will be reviewed every year. They will each receive a timetable for meeting the criteria for joining. Discussion continues as to whether or not Turkey will be included in such plans. T he plan which has been set forth is an attempt to lessen the disappointment suffered by the five countries who have been denied entry by both the EU and NATO in the past few weeks, and to encourage their continued reforms.

July 22, 1997 - Brussels, Belgium