Explained | How does a country become a European Union member?
When Russia launched an onslaught on Ukraine in the dead of night on February 24, its biggest fear was a growing western military presence on the borders. Four months later Vladimir Putin has not only pushed Kyiv closer to NATO but also on the heels of becoming a European Union (EU) member.
Ukraine is now a step closer to becoming an EU member. We help you understand the process and benefits of becoming an EU member. But first, what is the EU?
WHAT IS EUROPEAN UNION?
The European Union is an association of 27 nations, primarily located in Europe, that operates as a single economic bloc in the global economy. The EU was formed by the Treaty Of Maastricht, which took effect on November 1, 1993. The bloc was formed to strengthen economic and political cooperation throughout Europe in the wake of World War II.
The EU comprises ministerial delegates from each member state and the presidency of the council rotates every six months.
WHAT DOES EU DO?
The EU, touted as one of the world’s most powerful trade blocs, promotes democratic values in its member nations. Nineteen of the countries share the euro as their official currency. EU policies aim to ensure the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital within the internal market, established through a standardised system of laws that apply in all member states. This internal market is touted as the EU’s main economic engine,
WHO CAN APPLY TO BE EU MEMBER?
Any country that satisfies the conditions for membership can apply, as per the EU website. These conditions, known as the ‘Copenhagen criteria’, include a free-market society, a working legal system, a democratic establishment, human rights, and full compliance with all EU rules and regulations.
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Candidates must implement democratic principles and implement reforms to comply with EU rules, regulations, and standards in various aspects, like economy and state of law. Thus, to become an EU member, a country must complete 35 laborious “chapters” addressing issues ranging from judicial independence to aligning foreign policy with the EU.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO JOIN EU?
While Ukraine has got a candidate status, the journey to finally become a member is rather lengthy and complicated and the entire process may take years.
This graphic lists the different steps for a country to become a member of the European Union. (Credit: AFP)
Joining the EU is a 3-step process:
1. Getting candidate status: This is the first step in the process of joining the EU but it does not necessarily mean that the nation will join the EU.
2. Accession: In the next step, formal membership negotiations begin. This process, known as accession, involves the adoption of established EU law and implementation of judicial, administrative, economic, and other reforms deemed necessary for the country to meet the membership conditions.
3. Joining: When the negotiations and accompanying reforms have been completed to the satisfaction of both sides, the country can join the EU.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO GET CANDIDATE STATUS?
After a country applies for EU membership, it gets a candidate status following the European Commission’s recommendation that they are ready to join.
War-hit Ukraine, which applied for an emergency EU membership, got a candidate status in the month of June. With this, Ukraine joined the group of other candidates: Turkey (since 1999), North Macedonia (since 2005), Montenegro (since 2010), Serbia (since 2012), Albania (since 2014), and Moldova (got candidate status in 2022 with Ukraine).
But remember, getting a candidate status does not mean a country will get to join the Union. Whether they get to move to the next step or not is decided after their applications are reviewed in the light of ‘Copenhagen Criteria’.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME EU MEMBER?
Years, if not decades. It’s definitely not a quick process and there are countries that have been waiting to qualify to join the EU for years.
For example, the Western Balkan countries of Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia have been candidate countries for years or even decades. Bosnia and Herzegovina had applied for candidacy in 2016 but has still not officially joined the bloc.
The last country to join the EU, Croatia applied in 2003 and officially became a member after 10 years in 2013.
HOW HAS EU MEMBERSHIP HELPED RECENT JOINERS?
Romania, which joined the EU in 2015, saw a three-fold increase in its national income while Bulgaria’s has doubled. Both the countries got tens of billions of euros from EU to support economic development. Some 1.5 million Bulgarians and 4 million Romanians have used the EU’s “freedom of movement” policy to travel within Europe.
A LOOK AT UKRAINE’S CASE
Ukraine, which is currently under attack by the Russian forces, applied for the EU membership on February 28. Four days after Russia declared war. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy requested Ukraine’s immediate admission to the EU. Responding to the request, the European Commission responded by recommending Ukraine be elevated to candidate status.
CANDIDATE STATUS GRANTED
The European Union leaders granted Ukraine candidate status for EU membership during a European Council meeting in Brussels on June 23. The EU leaders had gathered in Brussels to formally grant Ukraine candidate status to join the European Union just as Russian forces continue to advance in Eastern Ukraine.
BENEFITS FOR UKRAINE
For Ukraine, which is battling Russia with no end in sight to the conflict, getting EU membership has a huge significance. Will it benefit the military? Certainly yes, because EU members are bound by a mutual defence clause to support a fellow nation if its territory gets attacked.
Besides, an EU membership will strengthen Ukraine’s economy and allow free movement inside the EU. Once the war gets over, the EU will also assist Ukraine in rebuilding and adapting its infrastructure and services.
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Within days, Ukraine took steps that typically take months or even years for other countries and it only shows that Ukraine is trying everything possible to send a clear political message. With over 86% of Ukrainians supporting the EU membership bid, the call is only getting louder.
“The EU stands united in its unwavering support to Ukraine and has stepped up its political, humanitarian, financial, and military support to the country. The European Commission is also closely cooperating with Ukraine’s neighbouring countries to support them in providing protection for people fleeing the invasion,” its website reads.
