T1(1995 – 4th enlargement) |
The instrument for pre-accession: CEE and EFTA Agreement on creating the European Economic Area (EEA). |
Country Situation Assessment Documents: European Commission Report (1993) |
Approximately 60% of the acquis Communautaire had already been incorporated by the candidates as part of the EEA creation process, with a high degree of political and economic convergence during the negotiations. |
Democratic Conditionality: not used |
Democratic Conditionality: not used. Economic aspects and the adoption of the community acquis were addressed |
Democratic conditionality: the Copenhagen Criteria already existed at the time of negotiations and accession but were not used due to the democratic political regimes of the countries. The EP even emphasized the importance of these countries’ adherence as a way of reducing the EU’s democratic deficit. |
T2 (1997/1998 – the start of access negotiations with 5th enlargement countries and Turkey’s declaration of eligibility) and T3 (2004/2007 – 5th enlargement) |
The Instrument for pre-accession: European Agreements settled between 1991 and 1996 and e PHARE program (financial assistance). |
Country Situation Assessment Documents: Agenda 2000 (1997) and Commission`s Regular Reports on each country (1998 and 1999) based on the Copenhagen Criteria (1993) |
The Commission analysed the capacity of States to assume the obligations of the acquis Communautaire |
Democratic Conditionality: minimum democracy requirements (free elections, human rights and the rule of law) |
Democratic Conditionality: more pluralist requirements of democracy. Free and fair elections, alternation of power, participation of the opposition in the political game, stability of institutions, separation and cooperation between the Powers, combating corruption, freedom of the press, access to public services, individual rights and inclusive citizenship to minorities. Turkey (1998): all requirements mentioned above plus non-interference of the armed forces in political life, due process of law and peaceful relations with neighbour countries. |
Democratic conditionality: was not directly used over the 31 negotiating chapters. Romania and Bulgaria: the democratic conditionality was expanded after the accession process through the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CMV) |
T4 (2013/2014 – Croatia’s accession/start of access negotiations with Serbia). |
The Instrument for pre-accession: The Stabilisation and Association Agreement- IPA (financial assistance) |
Country situation assessment documents: Regular Reports made by European Commission, released between 2005 and 2013, based on the Copenhagen Criteria Plus (2001) |
The Commission analysed the capacity of States to assume the obligations of the acquis Communautaire |
Democratic Conditionality: minimum democracy requirements (free elections, human rights and the rule of law) and cooperation with the ICTY |
Democratic Conditionality: more pluralist requirements of democracy. Free and fair elections, alternation of power, participation of the opposition in the political game, stability of institutions, separation and cooperation between the Powers, combating corruption, freedom of the press, access to public services, individual rights and inclusive citizenship to minorities. Changes on the democratic conditionality from T3 to T4 (new criteria): full cooperation with the ICTY, return of refugees, regional cooperation and reconciliation with neighbouring countries, respect and implementation of peace agreements. |
Democratic conditionality: Inclusion of new chapters - Chapters 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security) - that make direct reference to democratic principles |