New member states have joined the EU in several waves. Since 2004, twelve applicant countries have joined. This historically largest enlargement has brought new opportunities and challenges not only for the member states but also for the EU and its future.

Learning Objectives

  1. Understand the particular historical and political context in which the EU has agreed to integrate ten Central and Eastern European countries, Malta and Cyprus.
  2. Compare and contrast the challenges and opportunities the recent enlargement process has brought to the EU.
  3. Identify the difficult issues and policy areas in the negotiation process of the ten recently joined and possible future member states.

Study Guide

  1. Print pdf version of study guide.
  2. Identify the most significant steps in the most recent enlargement process and find out about the member states that joined in 2004.
  3. Familiarize yourself with the application process. What are the Copenhagen Criteria? How did the EU handle previous enlargements? View the UNC Webpage on Enlargement.
  4. Go BBC Webpage on Enlargement and find out which new member states are the best/least well prepared countries according to the journalists at BBC.