To join the EU, a state needs to fulfil economic and political conditions called the Copenhagen criteria (after the Copenhagen summit in June 1993), which require a stable democratic government that respects the rule of law, and its corresponding freedoms and institutions. According to the Maastricht Treaty, each current member state and the European Parliament must agree to any enlargement. The process of enlargement is sometimes referred to as European integration. This term is also used to refer to the intensification of co-operation between EU member states as national governments allow for the gradual harmonisation of national laws.
Answer: Any 'European' country who fulfils the EU criteria of membership can apply to join the EU. Membership criteria are known as the Copenhagen criteria. These include 'a free-market economy, a stable democracy and the rule of law, and the acceptance of all EU legislation.
