When will enlargement happen?

The Copenhagen European Council of December 2002 marked the conclusion of accession negotiations with Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia and agreed to welcome these States as members from 1 May 2004. The existing and new Member States signed the Accession Treaty on 16 April 2003. All 25 parties to the Treaty have until 30 April 2004 to ratify it.

The Copenhagen Council also agreed on the objective of welcoming Bulgaria and Romania as members of the European Union in 2007, depending on further progress in complying with the membership criteria. Turkey has not yet started negotiations, but will do so ‘without delay’ if the European Council in December 2004, on the basis of a report and a recommendation from the Commission, decides that Turkey fulfils the Copenhagen political criteria.

How will the UK Government ratify the Accession Treaty?

The Accession Treaty was signed by Heads of Government or their representatives in Athens on 16 April 2003. Subsequently, the Government introduced a Bill in Parliament to implement the effects of the Treaty in UK law. Once the Bill is enacted, the Government will proceed formally to ratify the Treaty. This is expected by the end of 2003.

Why do the candidates want to join the EU?

The candidate countries know better than anyone else why they want to join the EU. The British government also believes that the evidence speaks for itself. Already, the candidates have stable democracies and a growing respect for human rights. Their economies are growing fast, attracting high and rising levels of foreign direct investment and the majority of their trade is with the EU. Independent research suggests that accession could add 1.5% to the candidates’ economic growth rates each year.

Can new members attend EU meetings?

New members have been able to attend EU meetings as 'active observers' since the signature of the Accession Treaty on 16 April. This means that they can participate in discussion and debate. They will not be able to vote until they join the EU on 1 May 2004.

Further information

Other Government Departments

www.defra.gov.uk

Europe and World Trade

Publications

The UK government has also produced a number of leaflets and brochures on EU enlargement, including:

Britain: A Champion of EU Enlargement
(a Foreign and Commonwealth Office brochure)

EU Enlargement Update
(a quarterly Foreign and Commonwealth Office leaflet on developments in the enlargement process)

Enlargement and the Single Market: Opportunities for Business
(a Department of Trade and Industry brochure outlining the opportunities available to UK business from an enlarged single market).

If you would like copies of any of the above, please contact:

Enlargement and Wider Europe Team
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
King Charles Street
LONDON
SW1A 2AH

Email: Martyn Cushing

Will enlargement create a new division in Europe between the EU and Russia, Ukraine and Belarus?

The EU's future neighbours have nothing to fear from enlargement. A larger EU will reinforce stability and security in Europe from which they can only benefit.

The British government recognizes the importance of existing links - such as trade - between acceding states and the EU’s future neighbours. Britain is committed to maintaining good relations with countries outside the future enlarged EU.

How much will EU enlargement cost?

The Berlin European Council in March 1999 ring-fenced around £40 billion for new Member States from 2002-2006. This money is to cover spending on structural funds, agriculture and rural development, internal policies and administration.

This spending can be financed without increasing the ceiling of Member States’ financial contributions to the EU (which will remain at 1.27% of Member States’ combined GNP at least until 2006).

How much will enlargement cost Britain?

The net contribution to the EU’s budget of existing Member States, including Britain, will increase with enlargement, to cover the EU’s spending in new Member States. However, the increase in Britain’s net contribution will be limited because Britain’s rebate will apply to the bulk of spending in the new Member States.

Will Britain still receive EU structural funds after enlargement?

Spending in Britain from the EU’s Structural Funds program is guaranteed until 2006, regardless of enlargement. After 2006, the amount of structural funds that Britain receives will depend on the agreement reached between Member States for the next financial period (probably 2007-2013).

Will enlargement result in more immigration to the UK from citizens of the candidates?

EU accession will raise economic standards in the candidates and, through the fulfillment of the criteria for membership, create greater stability in the institutions guaranteeing democracy, rule of law, human rights as well as respect for and protection of minorities. This should reduce the incentives for people to leave the candidate countries after they join the EU.

There are understandable fears of mass migration, but all the evidence suggests these are unfounded. In 1996, when Spain joined the EU, as lifestyle improved, emigration reduced. For example, in 1986, there were 109,000 Spanish workers in France; by 1994, this had fallen to just 35,000. More British people have settled in Spain than Spanish people in Britain.

Will the candidates participate in 'Schengen' when they join the EU?

Schengen is no longer a separate Convention but fully incorporated into the EU Treaty and the candidates will have to implement Schengen rules. However, the candidates will not have to apply all of the Schengen laws and practices in full immediately on accession. Implementing Schengen is a two-stage process. Internal border controls (e.g. between Czech Republic and Germany) will remain after accession for a period of implementation and evaluation. When the candidates’ external border management reaches the required standard, internal border controls can be lifted. Norway, Iceland and Greece have just gone through this process.