Enlargement of the European Union
Enlargement of the European Union : This was originally the term used to refer to the four successive waves of new members joining the European Community. Nineteen countries have so far joined the six founder members - Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands - at the following times: 1973: Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom; 1981: Greece; 1986: Portugal and Spain; 1995: Austria, Finland and Sweden; 2004: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. The current wave of accessions has turned enlargement into a unique opportunity to bring peace, stability and prosperity to the entire European continent. It is unprecedented in terms of its dimension and diversity. At the Copenhagen European Council (December 2002), the Commission concluded negotiations with the ten countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the two Mediterranean countries, enabling them to join the Union on 1 May 2004. As far as Bulgaria and Romania are concerned, the goal is to conclude negotiations in time for them to join in 2007. The possibility of opening negotiations with Turkey are to be examined in October 2005. See: Accession negotiations of the European Union; Accession of new Member States to the European Union; Enlargement and social policy in the European Union
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