EU membership criteria, candidate countries and eastern neighbors

Article 6 of the TEU

The Union is founded on the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law

the Lisbon Treaty

treaty of the EU (TEU); any European State which respects the principles set out in Article 6 may apply to become a member of the Union

copenhagen critera

must have achieved stability of its institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and protection of minorities, functioning market economy, adherence to the aims of economic and monetary union, harmonization of legislation with the EU legislation

candidates for EU membership

North Macedonia, Albania, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia

candidates for the EU with accession negotiations opened

Turkey, Montenegro, Serbia

obstacles for Serbia joining the EU

Kosovo issue; Belgrade supports ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo who refuse to be governed by Pristina

benefits of joining EU

membership of the EU single market, more investment, more competition - a boost to labor productivity, more innovation, more funds from EU’s agricultural and structural funds, more security

costs of joining EU

compliance with EU regulations, stringent environmental regulations will impose extra cost of up to 120 billion, loss of sovereignty in a number of policy areas, brain drain