Why enlarge the EU?

Britain has from the outset strongly supported the enlargement of the EU. Britain believes that the countries of Western Europe have a political and moral responsibility to open their doors to the emerging democracies of Central and East Europe. But we also believe that enlargement will be good for both existing and new members.

As Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said in November 1997:
"Enlarging the European Union is an historic opportunity, both for the EU and its new members. It will fulfil the challenge set a decade ago when the Iron Curtain was brought down - to create a prosperous and peaceful Europe."

Specifically, we believe that successful enlargement of the EU will:
- bind the countries of Central Europe into western European political and economic structures, enhancing peace, democracy, stability and prosperity;
- support human rights, increase respect for minorities, and open up borders;
- stimulate economic growth and competitiveness by boosting the Single Market throughout the addition of 100 million consumers.

What are the requirements for Membership?

The readiness of applicant states to join the EU is judged on three main areas (the so-called "Copenhagen criteria"):
- the political situation, including the stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the protection of minorities.
- the economic situation: a candidate country must have a functioning market economy and the capacity to cope with competitive pressures and market forces within the EU.
- the capacity of the candidate country to adopt the obligations of Membership (the so-called "acquis") as contained in the Treaty, the secondary legislation and regulations and the policies of the Union.

How is Hungary doing?

Very well!

Hungary very largely fulfils the political conditions for membership, although there is still some work to do in certain areas, notably the situation of the Roma.

Hungary has a functioning market economy and, provided efforts continue to restructure those sectors which lag behind, it should be able in the medium term to cope with the competitive pressures and market forces within the Union. The Commission's latest Progress Report says that Hungary is one of the very few applicants close to meeting the Copenhagen economic criteria in full.

Good progress has been made too in adopting the acquis (the body of existing EU rules and regulations). But, like other applicant countries, Hungary still has a long way to go in adopting, and especially, developing the full administrative capacity to implement the acquis.

So when will Hungary be able to join?

For enlargement to happen both the applicants and the Union itself need to be ready.

Hungary has set itself the target of being ready to join by 2002. That is ambitious - but it is up to Hungary and the Hungarians to achieve it.

On the EU side, the reforms agreed under Agenda 2000 in Berlin in March 1999 put in place many of the elements necessary for enlargement. But further decisions will be needed (for example on the institutional structure). In presenting the latest Progress Reports on applicants in October 1999, the Commission reiterated that the Union should aim to be ready by 2002.

Britain supports that goal. Hungary can continue to count on Britain's support for enlargement. We want to see Hungary proceed as quickly as it is able towards membership.

What is Britain doing to help enlargement?

As a Member State, Britain is doing all it can to push forward the process of enlargement.

Accession negotiations began under the British Presidency, in March 1998, with five Central European countries - including Hungary - plus Cyprus. As Foreign Minister Robin Cook said in April 1998:

"One of the most important successes of the British Presidency has been to give the enlargement process a smooth launch. It will be in our long-term interests that the new Member States remember us as an ally and an advocate of their membership."

Since then negotiations have made good progress. All the 31 "chapters" (areas or sectors of EU law and regulation) have now been subjected to an initial examination ("screened"). Position papers have been exchanged on over half of them. And on a number of these, the chapter has been provisionally closed with Hungary - ie. no major difficulties are envisaged.

Britain strongly supports the view that applicant States should be allowed to progress towards membership just as quickly as they are individually capable of meeting the requirements.

Together with other Member States and the Commission, Britain is also giving substantial practical help to Hungary to meet the demands of EU membership. We do this:
- through bilateral assistance, particularly under the auspices of the Know How Fund.
through our contribution to the Twinning process, under which Member State experts work with their Hungarian counterparts to share expertise and experience; and, not least,
- through our significant contribution to the EU's programmes, Phare, ISPA and SAPARD.

Full story available at the British Embassy's Homepage