1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:24,320 On May 1, 2004, the European Union grew from 15 members to 25. This was an historic enlargement 2 00:00:24,320 --> 00:00:29,600 which reunited the continent after decades of division by an Iron Curtain, and proved 3 00:00:29,600 --> 00:00:36,280 the appeal of the Union to all European countries who were not yet members. 4 00:00:36,280 --> 00:00:41,280 Shortly after the end of the Second World War, Europe found itself split in two. In 5 00:00:41,280 --> 00:00:47,680 1957, six countries, Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg founded 6 00:00:47,680 --> 00:00:54,440 the European Economic Community. In 1973, Great Britain, Denmark and Ireland joined 7 00:00:54,440 --> 00:01:06,160 them. In 1981, it was the turn of Greece. Then, in 1986, Spain and Portugal. 8 00:01:06,160 --> 00:01:12,080 Three years later, in 1989, the Berlin Wall fell. In Europe, this provoked a chain reaction 9 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:21,240 which would give a new meaning to EU enlargement. By 1990, Germany was reunified. In 1995, 10 00:01:21,240 --> 00:01:28,160 the Union welcomed Sweden, Finland and Austria. In 2004, eight Central and Eastern European 11 00:01:28,160 --> 00:01:34,620 countries, plus Malta and Cyprus, made up the fifth wave of enlargement. 12 00:01:34,620 --> 00:01:38,640 The European Union has become the largest internal market in the world. It has more 13 00:01:38,640 --> 00:01:44,680 than 450 million inhabitants, spread across nearly 4 million square kilometres. Today, 14 00:01:44,680 --> 00:01:50,040 new countries are in the starting blocks preparing to join. Two of them are Eastern European 15 00:01:50,080 --> 00:01:57,880 nations who were not ready in 2004. Romania and Bulgaria are due to join in 2007, or at 16 00:01:57,880 --> 00:02:03,720 the latest in 2008. Membership negotiations started at the end of 2005 with two other 17 00:02:03,720 --> 00:02:09,040 candidates, Croatia and Turkey. Finally, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is applied 18 00:02:09,040 --> 00:02:16,040 to join. On December 17, 2005, EU heads of state and government granted candidate status. 19 00:02:20,640 --> 00:02:27,760 The Treaty on the European Union defines, in fact, the point of departure of policy 20 00:02:27,760 --> 00:02:37,320 of enlargement. Article 49 of the Treaty states that any European state which respects and 21 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:43,600 lives according to the European values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law 22 00:02:43,760 --> 00:02:50,880 may apply to join the European Union. Meeting in Denmark in 1993, the member states came 23 00:02:50,880 --> 00:02:55,680 up with a list of criteria called the Copenhagen Criteria. They have to be met if a country 24 00:02:55,680 --> 00:03:02,320 is to become a member of the EU. The first criteria are political ones. The candidate 25 00:03:02,320 --> 00:03:07,360 country must have stable institutions which guarantee true democracy. Torture and the 26 00:03:07,360 --> 00:03:14,360 death penalty must be abolished. Human rights must be protected, as must minorities. The 27 00:03:15,600 --> 00:03:20,280 member states and the European Parliament are particularly vigilant in these areas. 28 00:03:20,280 --> 00:03:25,240 Other criteria are economic. The candidate must have a market economy which works and 29 00:03:25,240 --> 00:03:33,560 which would be capable of being competitive once inside the Union. And the final criteria, 30 00:03:33,560 --> 00:03:38,080 by the date of accession, the country must have integrated the acquis communautaire. 31 00:03:38,080 --> 00:03:43,440 That's the total package of European legislation established by the Union since its creation. 32 00:03:43,440 --> 00:03:50,120 It's made up of 35 chapters. One chapter covers agriculture. The candidate must establish 33 00:03:50,120 --> 00:03:56,840 structures which would be capable of applying the common agricultural policy. Another chapter 34 00:03:56,880 --> 00:04:03,880 concerns food safety. For example, meat must be traceable in line with European norms. 35 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:12,080 The environment is another important element of the acquis. The treatment of waste water 36 00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:19,080 must meet the directives adopted by the member states. As a final example, candidate countries 37 00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:26,440 must improve border controls if free circulation is to work. They must combat illegal immigration 38 00:04:26,960 --> 00:04:33,960 and organized crime. 39 00:04:37,120 --> 00:04:42,480 The Copenhagen criteria proved their efficiency in 2004 with the seamless integration of ten 40 00:04:42,480 --> 00:04:47,920 new countries. From now on, they must fulfill the same obligations as the other members. 41 00:04:47,920 --> 00:04:53,400 In 2004, they experienced economic growth which was twice the European average. The 42 00:04:53,800 --> 00:04:59,240 EU co-finances their regional and social development and quality of life is improving. The ten countries 43 00:04:59,240 --> 00:05:03,760 are now reaping the benefits of the efforts made during the crucial years as they prepare 44 00:05:03,760 --> 00:05:10,760 for accession. In 1963, Turkey signed an association agreement with the EEC. And in 1995, it signed 45 00:05:12,280 --> 00:05:16,800 a customs union with the Europeans. 46 00:05:16,800 --> 00:05:22,760 Today, other countries such as the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia have started 47 00:05:22,760 --> 00:05:28,920 down the same road. To prepare for membership, potential candidates in the Balkans first 48 00:05:28,920 --> 00:05:34,520 have to sign stabilization and association agreements. One example of assistance given 49 00:05:34,520 --> 00:05:40,240 by the EU as part of the pre-accession policy is this Austrian judge who has come to Skopje 50 00:05:40,240 --> 00:05:45,760 to help her colleagues get a better grasp of European law. The prospect of one day belonging 51 00:05:45,760 --> 00:05:50,760 to the union is essential to maintain stability and peace in the Balkans. 52 00:05:51,760 --> 00:05:53,760 Thank you very much. 53 00:05:53,760 --> 00:05:58,160 Croatia officially applied for membership in 2003 when Greece held the presidency of 54 00:05:58,160 --> 00:06:03,760 the European Union. Treaties require that the presidency subsequently ask the Commission 55 00:06:03,760 --> 00:06:05,880 for its opinion. 56 00:06:05,880 --> 00:06:12,880 The opinion of the Commission is very important because it gives the Commission's view as 57 00:06:13,400 --> 00:06:20,400 regards if a country is ready or one day ready to start the accession negotiations. 58 00:06:21,200 --> 00:06:28,200 There has to be a positive opinion usually in order for the member states to take a positive 59 00:06:30,640 --> 00:06:37,440 decision on starting the negotiations with a candidate country or with a country. Therefore, 60 00:06:37,440 --> 00:06:44,240 it is a very important analytical document which includes a recommendation. Then it is 61 00:06:44,240 --> 00:06:49,920 up to the EU member states to take the decision on the matter. 62 00:06:49,920 --> 00:06:54,360 The Commission's advice has always been followed by the member states, with one exception. 63 00:06:54,360 --> 00:06:59,480 In 1977, Greece's application was approved despite the Commission's recommendation of 64 00:06:59,480 --> 00:07:04,720 a supplementary five-year transition period. 65 00:07:04,720 --> 00:07:11,720 Meeting in Council, the member states require a unanimous decision to approve an application. 66 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:19,000 Turkey officially became a candidate in 1999 in Helsinki. 67 00:07:19,440 --> 00:07:24,080 The Union can subsequently attach conditions to the start of accession negotiations. For 68 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:28,960 example, Zagreb must collaborate with the International War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague, 69 00:07:28,960 --> 00:07:34,360 which is pursuing war criminals in ex-Yugoslavia. The prosecutor, Carla Del Ponte, confirmed 70 00:07:34,360 --> 00:07:41,360 in October 2005 that Croatia was cooperating fully. Negotiations could begin. 71 00:07:42,360 --> 00:07:49,360 Negotiations of accession are a misleading term. Why? Because we negotiate very little. 72 00:07:54,360 --> 00:08:01,360 From the moment a country has chosen to become a member of the European Union, to apply 73 00:08:01,560 --> 00:08:08,560 for candidacy, it is obvious that it is asking to join a club. This club, like any club, 74 00:08:09,560 --> 00:08:16,440 has rules. So the rules must be accepted and adopted. 75 00:08:16,440 --> 00:08:21,720 On October 3, 2005, the Turkish Foreign Minister came to Luxembourg to officially open his 76 00:08:21,720 --> 00:08:27,160 country's accession negotiations. Turkey will discuss with the Union how it will apply 77 00:08:27,160 --> 00:08:34,160 the 35 chapters of the AGI. Croatia will have to do the same. As any enlargement is preceded 78 00:08:34,200 --> 00:08:41,200 by negotiations, the Union has learned lessons from the past. As a result, two new elements 79 00:08:41,240 --> 00:08:45,040 will apply to Ankara and Zagreb. 80 00:08:45,040 --> 00:08:50,920 Firstly, the Copenhagen political criteria, which include protection of minorities, have 81 00:08:50,920 --> 00:08:57,920 been integrated into Article 6 of the Treaty of Amsterdam and are now part of the AGI Communitaire. 82 00:08:58,440 --> 00:09:02,800 As a result, they are the subject of a chapter in the negotiations called Justice and Fundamental 83 00:09:02,800 --> 00:09:04,800 Rights. 84 00:09:24,800 --> 00:09:29,400 The second new element is that the European Union attaches preconditions to the opening 85 00:09:29,400 --> 00:09:34,520 of each chapter of negotiations. They are called benchmarks. Before opening the Customs 86 00:09:34,520 --> 00:09:41,520 Union chapter, Turkey has to authorize ships from all member states to dock in its ports. 87 00:09:42,680 --> 00:09:46,920 Once the framework of negotiations has been fixed, member states, the Commission and the 88 00:09:46,920 --> 00:09:51,960 candidates begin a long discussion process. In the Directorate General for Enlargement, 89 00:09:51,960 --> 00:09:56,880 Fabrizio Barbasso prepares to meet Turks and Croats for the screening, which is an in-depth 90 00:09:56,880 --> 00:09:57,880 examination. 91 00:09:58,880 --> 00:10:04,880 The first part is the explanation of the Community Law, which is done by the Commission's 92 00:10:04,880 --> 00:10:11,880 experts. Then there is a second part. During this second part, each of the two delegations 93 00:10:11,880 --> 00:10:16,880 of the two countries come to see us to explain to us what the state of their legislation 94 00:10:16,880 --> 00:10:22,880 is in the field covered by Community Responsibility. And at the same time, they present to us their 95 00:10:23,880 --> 00:10:30,880 concerns and the time they will need to align themselves with the Community Legislation. 96 00:10:46,880 --> 00:10:50,880 After these meetings, which can last as long as a year, the Commission suggests a timetable 97 00:10:50,880 --> 00:10:55,720 to the member states. It indicates which chapters can be opened first and which must 98 00:10:55,720 --> 00:11:02,240 wait and for how long. It makes recommendations to the 25 and it's they who decide whether 99 00:11:02,240 --> 00:11:09,240 a chapter can be opened or not. In line with the treaties, negotiations take place between 100 00:11:09,320 --> 00:11:14,400 the 25 member states and the candidate country. Technically, Commission experts discuss with 101 00:11:14,400 --> 00:11:19,880 the candidate and report progress to the member states. The latter have the last word in determining 102 00:11:19,880 --> 00:11:26,880 the position of the Union. Unanimous agreement is required. The candidate countries nominate 103 00:11:27,640 --> 00:11:31,960 a chief negotiator who will play the role of intermediary between the Europeans and 104 00:11:31,960 --> 00:11:38,960 the national governments throughout the process. 105 00:11:49,880 --> 00:11:56,880 The Commission's first application to the Turkish authorities is always represented here. 106 00:12:09,880 --> 00:12:16,880 Therefore, we are the authority that is in constant contact with the Commission. At the same time, 107 00:12:17,880 --> 00:12:24,880 we are the Turkish authority that delivers information and instructions from Ankara to the Commission. 108 00:12:27,880 --> 00:12:32,440 Once the screening has been done, real negotiations begin, chapter by chapter. They can involve 109 00:12:32,440 --> 00:12:38,080 some tough measures. For example, in Bulgaria, some installations at the nuclear power station 110 00:12:38,080 --> 00:12:42,920 at Kozludi had to be shut down because they didn't meet safety standards. As part of 111 00:12:42,920 --> 00:12:49,240 the energy chapter, the Union negotiated with Sofia for their closure in 2006. The Union 112 00:12:49,240 --> 00:12:55,720 examines the country's plans and fixes a deadline for reforms on every chapter. On rare occasions, 113 00:12:55,720 --> 00:13:02,720 it agrees limited transition periods which run beyond the accession date. 114 00:13:13,920 --> 00:13:20,920 Membership is not automatic. It's an open process. Its outcome is determined by the 115 00:13:30,920 --> 00:13:35,800 candidate's progress. In Turkey, the Union is particularly vigilant on reforms in the 116 00:13:35,800 --> 00:13:40,040 administration, the judiciary, the police, and everything to do with human rights and 117 00:13:40,040 --> 00:13:47,040 the protection of minorities. The 25 member states decide when a chapter can be closed. 118 00:13:48,040 --> 00:13:53,320 But it's never final. For example, if a country reneges on its commitments, the chapter can 119 00:13:53,320 --> 00:14:00,320 be reopened, automatically putting a break on negotiations. 120 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:08,320 The European Union has various programs to help candidate countries come up to scratch. 121 00:14:11,320 --> 00:14:16,640 In Romania, for example, it finances the development of new packaging for cooked meats. While they 122 00:14:16,640 --> 00:14:23,640 did not meet the norms, Romania couldn't export to other EU countries. The Union is 123 00:14:24,480 --> 00:14:30,840 also helping to improve Romania's veterinary system to avoid the spread of mad cow disease. 124 00:14:30,840 --> 00:14:34,880 In total, across the board, Bucharest could receive aid amounting to more than 1 billion 125 00:14:34,880 --> 00:14:41,880 euros in 2006. The results of negotiations are included in an accession treaty. It's 126 00:14:42,920 --> 00:14:46,840 presented to the European Parliament, and a majority of the elected representatives 127 00:14:46,840 --> 00:14:51,600 of the people of Europe must adopt it. 128 00:14:51,600 --> 00:14:56,880 In Athens in 2003, after a favourable vote by MEPs, heads of state and government signed 129 00:14:56,880 --> 00:15:03,840 the treaty for the 10 new member states. But even after signature, the Commission verifies 130 00:15:03,840 --> 00:15:10,120 that the candidate country is properly implementing the promised reforms. On October 20, 2005, 131 00:15:10,120 --> 00:15:14,280 the enlargement commissioner presented a report to the European Parliament on the situation 132 00:15:14,280 --> 00:15:19,560 in Romania and Bulgaria. If there are any severe deficiencies, accession can be delayed 133 00:15:19,560 --> 00:15:22,560 or safeguard clauses imposed. 134 00:15:22,560 --> 00:15:28,400 For instance, for Bulgaria and Romania, we have three different kinds of normal safeguard 135 00:15:28,400 --> 00:15:35,400 clauses. One concerning economic development, one concerning the single market, and one 136 00:15:36,880 --> 00:15:43,560 concerning justice and home affairs. If there are serious problems, serious shortcomings 137 00:15:43,560 --> 00:15:50,040 in these areas, then we can propose that effectively we suspend the application of 138 00:15:50,040 --> 00:15:54,960 EU legislation, which means that sectorally in that field the country is not a member 139 00:15:54,960 --> 00:15:59,200 of the European Union. 140 00:15:59,200 --> 00:16:02,960 The treaty signed by the heads of state and government must then be ratified by both the 141 00:16:02,960 --> 00:16:09,960 member states and the candidate country. In May 2003, 90% of Lithuanians voted to join 142 00:16:10,280 --> 00:16:16,920 the European Union. 143 00:16:16,920 --> 00:16:22,440 Romanian and Bulgarian observers arrived at the European Parliament in September 2005. 144 00:16:22,440 --> 00:16:27,360 There are as many of them as there will be MEPs from those two countries in future. On 145 00:16:27,360 --> 00:16:31,560 the official accession date, representatives of the new member states will start work in 146 00:16:31,560 --> 00:16:36,480 the community institutions. 147 00:16:36,480 --> 00:16:40,880 State integration in the Union also means dialogue between people, and in particular 148 00:16:40,880 --> 00:16:47,880 between young people. Through exchanges and meetings they can really get to know one another. 149 00:16:49,920 --> 00:16:54,840 The relationships established in this way are a key element in drawing old and new member 150 00:16:54,840 --> 00:17:01,840 states closer together.