Research Guides: European Union Legal Materials: Enlargement

Overview of enlargement

The EU has expanded multiple times since its inception.

In May 2004, ten new countries joined the European Union, bringing the number of member states to twenty-five. Since this enlargement included many Eastern European and Baltic countries, it has greatly expanded the geographic scope of the EU, as well introducing many new official languages. In 2007, Bulgaria and Romania joined the European Union. On July 1, 2013, Croatia joined the EU. The United Kingdom left the EU on January 31, 2020, bringing the current total number of member states to 27.

This process of countries joining the EU is often referred to as enlargement. Countries who wish to join the EU must meet the necessary membership criteria. There are 3 stages in the process of enlargement, which is subject to approval by all EU countries: (1) Becoming an official candidate for membership (2) Undergoing formal membership negotiations (3) Completion of negotiations and accompany reforms to the parties' satisfaction and joining the EU.

Further enlargement is still being planned. With the war in Ukraine, Kyiv has asked for a fast-track procedure of EU membership. The EU has also started accession negotiations with the candidate countries, Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey.

Resources related to enlargement

To see more background and reference works available at Li Lu Law Library, including older editions, see here.

Europa
The official website of the European Union.
EU enlargement (Europa)
Includes actions, objectives, documents and related materials on the EU enlargement process.

European Union Enlargement (e-book) by Thomas Mehlhausen
Publication Date: 2015

Also available in print, Call Number JN30 .M4327 2015.
Constitutional Evolution in Central and Eastern Europe (e-book) by Kyriaki Topidi; Alexander H. E. Morawa
Publication Date: 2010

Various articles on EU Enlargement policies and how they relate to issues of Constitutionalism.
Also available in print, Call Number KJC4436 .C66 2010.
European Union Enlargement (e-book) by Michael Schwarzinger
Publication Date: 2017

Written by two diplomats directly involved in the process, offers an intense and detailed analysis of the almost ten-year process of preparing and negotiating the accession of Eastern, Southeastern, and Central European countries, as well as Mediterranean countries to the European Union. In the end, ten joined in 2004, with two more to follow in 2007.
The unity of Europe : political, economic and social aspects of the EU enlargement by Renate Langewiesche and András Tóth
Call Number: JX1982 Un4 2001

Publication Date: 2001

This book provides an introduction to the EU enlargement process. It was produced following the 2000 joint conference of the European Trade Union Confederation and the European Trade Union Institute. There are transcripts of the speeches made at the conference relating to the political, economic and social factors involved in enlarging the EU.
Enlargement strategy paper : report on progress towards accession by each of the candidate countries by European Commission
Call Number: JX1981 B872 2000/3

Publication Date: 2001

The report from the European Commission gives a broad overview of the reasons for enlargement and the strategies involved in accession. It also provides a look at where each candidate country was in the accession process as of 2000. Although the information regarding the countries is not current, this is still an interesting resource because it shows what the countries were doing to prepare themselves for membership in the EU, as well as what the EU was seeking from prospective members.
Adapting the institutions to make a success of enlargement : Commission opinion in accordance with Article 48 of the Treaty on European Union on the calling of a conference of representatives of the governments of the member states to amend the treaties : by European Commission
Call Number: JX1981 B872 2000/2

Publication Date: 2000

This commission opinion presents a strategy for adapting the EU institutions as enlargement progresses. It analyzes how the institutions currently operate and suggests possible options for their development and evolution as a result of the 2004 enlargement.
The Changing Role of the European Council in the Institutional Framework of the European Union by Frederic Eggermont
Call Number: KJE969 .E33 2012

Publication Date: 2012

This volume is a compilation of articles relating to the enlargement of the EU. Its purpose is to provide a historical account of the enlargement process and to analyze the current status of and future developments in the accession countries. There are chapters relating to region-wide issues and others which provide more in-depth looks at individual countries.
Reviewing European Union Accession by Tom Hashimoto (Editor); Michael Rhimes (Editor)
Call Number: KJE969 .R48 2018

Publication Date: 2017

This book addresses the question of how enlargement impacta the European Union as a whole. It reviews the historical development of the different enlargements of the EU and places the 2004 enlargement within the larger context. Chapters in the book look at the key social, political, economic and external issues relating to enlargement and the EU.
From Soviet Republics to EU Member States (2 Vols) (e-book) by Peter van Elsuwege
Publication Date: 2008

Also available in print, Call Number HC240.25.B29 E47 2008.