Conditions for Membership of the EU
At the meeting of the European Council in Copenhagen 1993, the following conditions for membership was agreed upon:
Also, the Europeans Union's ability to absorb new members must be considered.
At the beginning of the negotiations, it is a prerequisite that the candidate countries fulfil the political criterion.
The Importance of the Enlargement
The enlargement is not only to the benefit of the new Member States. The whole of Europe benefits greatly from it. The civil war in former Yugoslavia was a frightening example of how badly things can go when countries try to solve conflicts by use of violence instead of dialogue.
The great upheavals in Central and Eastern Europe made it apparent that the countries had weak democratic institutions, minority problems and unsolved border issues, which resulted in an increased risk of instability and conflicts.
The enlargement process and the prospect of membership of the EU have been contributory factors to the countries’ development into stable and peaceful democracies to the benefit and security of all Europe.
In a globalised world, security is not only a question of avoiding war. Today, security is just as much about combating terrorism, international crime and environmental problems. All of these are transnational problems that affect the whole of Europe. These common problems are best solved by a united Europe.
The EU and Denmark will also benefit economically from the enlargement. The economic advantage of the enlargement is a natural consequence of a larger market. New markets will appear and trade will increase among new and old Member States. Investments will become easier.
Both aspects will contribute to raising the living standards of the populations of the new Member States. A development which will be to the benefit of Europe.
