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Hi, guys! How are you doing?
Hey, Daniel!
Everything is fine.
We are just listening to the Croatian song of this year’s Eurovision Song Context.
So how do you like?
Yeah, come here! Join us!
Look!
It says here the title “Celebration” has been chosen ”with a reference
to Croatia's planned 2011 application to the European Union”.
Really?
I did not know Croatia was going to join the EU this year!
Well, it does not say “joining the EU”…
But what is the difference?
Does anybody of you actually know how a country can become an EU member?
I do. Our teacher explained it to us!
OK, Mr “I know everything”.
Can you explain it to us so that we understand it?
Yes, it seems to be sooo complicated.
Well, yes and no.
Can you guys give me eight sheets of paper? and I will explain it to you.
I think you will need them all.
But keep in mind that we are meeting others in 1 hour!
Come on!
I do not need them all.
And just give me five minutes!
Shoot!
OK.
First thing you need to know is
that the European Union has grown over the last decades
and consists today of 27 member states.
But it is still open to new enlargements.
In fact, any European State that respects the principles of liberty, democracy,
respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms,
and the rule of law may apply to become a member.
A country – let’s take Croatia for example
that wishes to join the EU submits an application for membership to the Council
where the governments of all the EU Member States are represented.
The European Parliament and the national Parliaments
have to be informed about this application as well!
But before the Council decides
whether or not to accept the application and recognise the country as a candidate
it asks the Commission for a kind of advice.
And if the Commission delivers a positive opinion,
and the Council unanimously agrees on a negotiating mandate,
negotiations are formally opened between the candidate and all the Member States.
Negotiations? You can actually negotiate about it?
I know the term can be misleading.
Accession negotiations are about conditions
and timing of the candidate’s adoption,
implementation and application of EU rules.
And those are not negotiable.
Well, this makes sense.
If you want to play one game, the rules should be clear and the same for all!
Right!
And this is why it takes so much time to meet these conditions and to fulfil the accession criteria!
Exactly.
But once the criteria are fulfilled and the negotiations are closed,
the draft Accession Treaty can be agreed upon.
Then it has to be signed by every Member State
and the candidate concerned before the latter becomes an acceding country.
Afterwards each EU Member State and the acceding country itself
have to ratify the Acession treaty according
to procedures established in their constitutions.
The European Parliament,
whose members are elected directly by the EU’s citizens,
also has to give its consent
And here you go!
The EU can welcome a new member!
And both sides can celebrate!
Just like in the song!
But wait a minute!
The website says Croatia’s application!
Well, what should I say?…
They say “application”. You thought it was “accession”.
There are many terms when it comes to the EU enlargement process.
And often they are not used in the right way.
Now we know better!
Just imagine:
Croatia actually applied for EU membership in February 2003!
Well, it is still a lot to learn about the EU enlargement process…
And the Western Balkan states!