Course summary European Union Enlargement
A growing membership has been part of the development of European integration
right from the start. Today's EU, with 27 Member States and a population of
close to 500 million people, is much safer, more prosperous, stronger and
more influential than the original European Economic Community of 50 years ago,
with its 6 members and population of less than 200 million.
The governments of the EU Member States, coming together in the European
Council, have agreed to extend the EU perspective to countries in
South East Europe - Croatia, the former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro,
Serbia, Kosovo under UN Security
Council Resolution 1244 and Turkey. See also.
EU - Western Balkans
Membership will only happen when the necessary requirements are met. A gradual
and carefully managed enlargement process creates a win-win situation for all
countries concerned.
Any European country which respects the principles of liberty, democracy,
respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law may apply
to become a member of the Union. The Treaty on European Union sets out the
conditions (article 6, article 49).
Five successive enlargements have followed since then:
• In 1973, Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom joined the European Union.
• In 1981, Greece became a Member State.
• In 1986, Spain and Portugal became members.
• In 1995, Austria, Finland and Sweden joined the EU.
• In 2004, Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta,
Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia joined. It was a historic enlargement which
signified the re-unification of Europe after decades of division.
• On 1 January 2007 Romania and Bulgaria also joined, completing this historic
process
Example of the course European Union Enlargement:
EENI International Business
Course learning materials: 
