Explained | How does a country become a European Union member?

As Ukraine moves a step closer to becoming a European Union member, we help you understand the process and benefits of getting EU membership.

When Russia launched an onslaught on Ukraine in the dead of night on February 24, its biggest fear was a growing western military presence on the borders. Four months later Vladimir Putin has not only pushed Kyiv closer to NATO but also on the heels of becoming a European Union (EU) member.

Ukraine is now a step closer to becoming an EU member. We help you understand the process and benefits of becoming an EU member. But first, what is the EU?

The European Union is an association of 27 nations, primarily located in Europe, that operates as a single economic bloc in the global economy. The EU was formed by the Treaty Of Maastricht, which took effect on November 1, 1993. The bloc was formed to strengthen economic and political cooperation throughout Europe in the wake of World War II.

The EU comprises ministerial delegates from each member state and the presidency of the council rotates every six months.

The EU, touted as one of the world's most powerful trade blocs, promotes democratic values in its member nations. Nineteen of the countries share the euro as their official currency. EU policies aim to ensure the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital within the internal market, established through a standardised system of laws that apply in all member states. This internal market is touted as the EU’s main economic engine,

Any country that satisfies the conditions for membership can apply, as per the EU website. These conditions, known as the ‘Copenhagen criteria’, include a free-market society, a working legal system, a democratic establishment, human rights, and full compliance with all EU rules and regulations.

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