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EU
Enlargement
"The
European Union is on the brink of one of the most important decisions
in its history. Enlargement to the East may be the EU's greatest
challenge, but I also believe it is its greatest opportunity."
Tony Blair, 6 October 2000 Warsaw
The
Process of Enlargement
The
European Union’s biggest single expansion in membership, since
it was set up in 1957, is due to happen soon. (Please see Timeline).
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Negotiations
were closed with ten countries in December 2002. The Copenhagen
Council of 12 and 13 December 2002 concluded that Cyprus, the
Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland,
Slovakia and Slovenia would become full members of the EU on 1
May 2004.
The
formal signing of Accession Treaties in Athens on 16 April 2003
brought EU enlargement a further step closer. Since then,
the new member states have been joining EU meetings as observers,
pending their full accession in 2004.
Negotiations
are ongoing with Bulgaria and Romania, who have an indicative
accession date of 2007. If the European Commission report in December
2004 concludes that Turkey fulfils the Copenhagen political criteria
for accession, it too will be able to begin accession negotiations.
Who
are the current members of the EU?
There
are 15 members of the EU. They are Austria, Belgium, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,
Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK.
Benefits
and Opportunities
The
UK is strongly committed to EU enlargement. Enlargement will unite
Europe in peace and stability alongside expanding the single market.
This will create commercial opportunities
for British businesses as well as wider economic
benefits for the UK.
The
UK has been at the forefront of the enlargement process. The Prime
Minister has actively promoted enlargement and as the former Foreign
Secretary, Robin Cook said, the UK is a "champion of enlargement".
Accession negotiations were launched under the UK presidency of
the EU in March 1998. The UK has consistently supported the early
accession of new members as soon as they are ready.
DTI
& EU Enlargement
The
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) leads on enlargement overall
and co-ordinates policy for the UK. Other government departments
lead in the negotiations on their
respective areas. DTI’s work on EU enlargement has involved:
- Ensuring
DTI and UK business interests are represented in the negotiations
between the EU15 and each applicant country. DTI is the key
department on single market issues, energy, competition and
industrial policy. DTI also has an interest in areas such as
environment, employment and social policy.
·
Working to help the accession countries prepare for EU entry,
particularly in respect of the single market, by providing advice
and technical assistance. DTI takes part in the EC’s twinning
and TAIEX (Technical Assistance Information Office) schemes, designed
to share expertise from the current member states with the accession
countries. We also provide assistance bilaterally.
·
Promoting awareness of EU enlargement with British businesses.
For
general information on FCO’s work on enlargement please see the
Foreign
and Commonwealth Office.
For
more information on trade and investment opportunities in the
candidate countries please see Trade
Partners UK.
For
more information please see
Frequently
Asked Questions
Related Speeches
Useful
Weblinks
Or
see our DTI publications
EU enlargement and the
Single Market: Opportunities for Business - This DTI publication
of September 2000 covers the main issues surrounding Enlargement.
The Economic Reform Agenda - Opportunities
for Accession Countries - This DTI publication of February
2002 explains the relevance of the economic reform agenda to the
candidate countries.
If
you have any questions please contact DTI’s enlargement unit:
Enlargement and Wider Europe Unit
European and World Trade Directorate
Department of Trade and Industry
66-74 Victoria Street
SW1E 6SW
Tel:
020 7215 4224
Fax: 020 7215 4469
E-mail: ewt.communications@dti.gsi.gov.uk
Last
updated 1 October 2003
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