Post‑Cold War enlargement: accession of Central and Eastern European states (1993–2007)

1. Copenhagen European Council sets accession criteria

   Jun 21, 1993Labels: Copenhagen Criteria, European Council

   • EP Summits

2. Commission publishes Agenda 2000 enlargement strategy

   Jul 15, 1997Labels: Agenda 2000, European Commission

   • UK Parliament

3. Treaty of Amsterdam is signed

   Oct 2, 1997Labels: Treaty of

   • EP Treaties

4. Luxembourg European Council launches enlargement process

   Dec 12, 1997Labels: Luxembourg European

   • EP Overview

5. Accession negotiations open with first-wave candidates

   Mar 31, 1998Labels: First-wave candidates

   • EP Overview
   • RFE RL

6. Helsinki European Council expands negotiations to more states

   Dec 10, 1999Labels: Helsinki European

   • EP Overview
   • CVCE

7. Treaty of Nice is signed

   Feb 26, 2001Labels: Treaty of

   • EP Treaties

8. Copenhagen European Council concludes talks with ten states

   Dec 12, 2002Labels: Copenhagen European

   • Eurofound
   • UK Hansard

9. Treaty of Nice enters into force

   Feb 1, 2003Labels: Treaty of

   • EP Treaties

10. Accession Treaty for ten countries is signed in Athens

    Apr 16, 2003Labels: Treaty of, Athens signing

    • Commission
    • RFE RL

11. Ten states join the European Union (2004 enlargement)

    May 1, 2004Labels: 2004 Enlargement

    • Commission
    • EU History

12. Brussels European Council welcomes Bulgaria and Romania’s 2007 accession

    Dec 17, 2004Labels: Brussels European

    • CVCE

13. Bulgaria and Romania sign the Treaty of Accession 2005

    Apr 25, 2005Labels: Treaty of, Luxembourg signing

    • Accession 2005

14. Bulgaria and Romania accede to the European Union

    Jan 1, 2007Labels: Bulgaria, Romania

    • EU 2007
    • Accession 2005