eunion1-6, Exercise 1: Copenhagen criteria and the process

Model answer:

The three groups (agreed at Copenhagen in June 1993): political (stable institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and protection of minorities); economic (a functioning market economy able to cope with competition inside the Union); legal (the ability to take on the obligations of membership, adopting the whole body of EU law, the acquis; a later summit added administrative capacity).

The process: a country applies, is accepted as a candidate, then negotiates chapter by chapter on adopting EU law. All existing members must agree at each stage, and the final treaty of accession must be ratified by every member and the candidate. This is why a single member can delay or block progress.