Enlargement of the European Union

The Enlargement of the European Union is the growth in size of the European Union, from the six founding member states in 1952, to the 25 current member states. There were four successive enlargements during this period, with the largest occurring on May 1, 2004, when 10 new member states joined. Further enlargement is scheduled for 2007, with the addition of two candidate states, and in time the European Union may grow to 30 member states. The process of enlargement is sometimes referred to as European integration.

Related Topics:
European Union - States - 1952 - Current member states - May 1 - 2004 - 2007 - European integration

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In order to join the European Union, a state needs to fulfill the economic and political conditions generally known as the Copenhagen criteria (after the Copenhagen summit in June 1993). Also, according to the EU Treaty, each current member state and the European Parliament have to agree.

Related Topics:
State - Copenhagen criteria - Copenhagen - 1993 - EU Treaty - European Parliament

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