2004 'Big Bang' Enlargement: Central and Eastern Europe (1997-2004)

1. EU sets enlargement roadmap in Agenda 2000

   Jul 16, 1997Labels: Agenda 2000, European Commission

   • EU Parliament
   • EU Parliament

2. Luxembourg European Council launches accession process

   Dec 13, 1997Labels: Luxembourg European

   • Europarl Summits
   • EU Parliament

3. Accession negotiations open with first six applicants

   Mar 31, 1998Labels: Accession negotiations, Cyprus

   • EU Parliament
   • RFE RL

4. Commission issues first annual enlargement progress reports

   Dec 17, 1998Labels: European Commission

   • EU Publications
   • UK Parliament

5. Berlin European Council agrees Agenda 2000 financing

   Mar 25, 1999Labels: Berlin European, Agenda 2000

   • Europarl Summits

6. Helsinki European Council expands the negotiation group

   Dec 11, 1999Labels: Helsinki European

   • CVCE
   • EU Parliament

7. Accession negotiations open with the “Helsinki group”

   Feb 15, 2000Labels: Accession negotiations, Helsinki group

   • EU Parliament
   • CVCE

8. Treaty of Nice is signed to prepare EU institutions

   Feb 26, 2001Labels: Treaty of

   • EU Parliament
   • Consilium

9. Laeken Declaration launches a convention on EU reform

   Dec 15, 2001Labels: Laeken Declaration, Convention on

   • Consilium
   • European Sources

10. Copenhagen European Council concludes talks with ten countries

    Dec 13, 2002Labels: Copenhagen European

    • CVCE
    • Eurofound

11. Treaty of Nice enters into force

    Feb 1, 2003Labels: Treaty of

    • EU Parliament
    • Consilium

12. Accession Treaty is signed in Athens

    Apr 16, 2003Labels: Treaty of, Athens signing

    • CVCE
    • RFE RL

13. Poland approves EU membership in a national referendum

    Jun 8, 2003Labels: Poland referendum

    • EUobserver
    • RFE RL

14. Ten countries join the European Union (Big Bang enlargement)

    May 1, 2004Labels: Big Bang, European Union

    • Eurofound
    • CVCE