Copenhagen criteria

The Copenhagen criteria are the rules that define whether a country is eligible to join the European Union. The criteria require that a state have the institutions to preserve democratic governance and human rights, a functioning market economy, and that the state accept the obligations and intent of the EU. These membership criteria were laid down at the June 1993 European Council in Copenhagen, Denmark, from which they take their name. Excerpt from the Copenhagen Presidency conclusions: Most of these elements have been clarified over the last decade by legislation of the European Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament, as well as by the case law of the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights. However, there are sometimes slightly conflicting interpretations in current member states — some examples of this are given below.
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In June 1993, the Copenhagen European Council recognised the right of the countries of central and eastern Europe to join the European Union when they have fulfilled three criteria:

•political: stable institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for minorities;
•economic: a functioning market economy;
•incorporation of the Community acquis: adherence to the various political, economic and monetary aims of the European Union.

These accession criteria were confirmed in December;1995 by the Madrid European Council, which also stressed the importance of adapting the applicant countries' administrative structures to create the conditions for a gradual, harmonious integration.

However, the Union reserves the right to decide when it will be ready to accept new members.

See:

•Accession partnership
•Applicant countries
•Enlargement
•Incorporation of the Community acquis

In June 1993, EU leaders meeting in Copenhagen set three criteria that any candidate country must meet before it can join the European Union. First, it must have stable institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for minorities. Second, it must have a functioning market economy. Third, it must take on board all the acquis and support the various aims of the European Union. The EU reserves the right to decide when a candidate country has met these criteria and when the EU is ready to accept the new member.

The basic criteria to be fulfilled by countries applying to join the EU, as established by the European Copenhagen Council in 1993: stable institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for minorities; a functioning market economy; and adherence to the acquis communautaire (EU legislation). (See Enlargement)