Countries that wish to join the European Union.
On 1st of May 2004, the EU was enlarged with the following 10 applicant countries: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia. From April 2003 these 10 former accession countries were observers, and hence participated, but could not vote, in the meetings of the Council and the European Parliament.
Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey have also applied for membership. Whereas Romania and Bulgaria may join the EU in 2007, accession negotiations have not yet started with Turkey. Nevertheless, Turkey was provided with pre-accession money from 1st January 2004 and will have its position as an applicant country reviewed at the EU summit in December 2004.
Croatia deposited an application for membership in February 2003 and Macedonia (FYROM) applied in March 2004.
Links
See also Enlargement.
Links to the governmental websites of the applicant countries:
Bulgaria
www.government.bg
Romania
www.gov.ro
Turkey
www.mfa.gov.tr