Here you will find information about my work and the enlargement of the EU.
The European Union currently has 27 Member States. The Western Balkan countries, Turkey and Iceland may also join once they meet the conditions for membership. The aim of enlargement is simple: to extend the area of peace, stability, democracy and the rule of law, and prosperity and well-being throughout Europe.
In these pages you can follow how negotiations proceed with the countries that may one day join the EU. You will also be kept up-to-date with topical news.
Statement by Commissioner Olli Rehn on the the signing of the Slovenia – Croatia agreement (Brussels, 04 November 2009)
"This is a very good day for Slovenia and Croatia, and the European Union. I want to congratulate the Prime Ministers and both countries, as well as the Swedish Presidency for this historic agreement. This is a most European way of peaceful settlement of disputes. I encourage both countries to proceed with ratification without unnecessary delay, and hope that Croatia makes the last mile in the negotiations, which are reaching the final stage."
Commission President Barroso and Commissioner Rehn welcome Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoğlu (Brussels, 02 October 2009)
Commission President José Manuel Barroso and the Commissioner for Enlargement, Olli Rehn, welcomed Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu in Brussels on 2 October. They discussed the final details of Turkey’s progress report and the EU’s Enlargement Strategy document in relation to Turkey’s accession, both of which are expected to be released on 14 October.
Progress in Croatia's EU accession process (Brussels, 02 October 2009)
At the meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference with Croatia on 2 October in Brussels, six chapters were opened and five closed in the country's negotiations with the EU. Accession negotiations with Croatia have entered a decisive stage and further substantial progress in the accession negotiations can be expected over the next months. Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn noted: "I welcome the agreement between the two Prime Ministers to settle this issue and reopen Croatia's accession negotiations. Therefore it is a win-win day for Slovenia and Croatia, but also win-win-win, because Europe is winning today as well." Croatia has now opened 28 chapters and provisionally closed twelve with the EU underlining that on all these chapters, monitoring of progress in the alignment with and implementation of the acquis would continue throughout the negotiations.
Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn starts his visit of Iceland (Brussels, 08 September 2009)
Commissioner Rehn will pay his first visit to Iceland since this country submitted its application for EU-membership in July 2009. On 8 September, the Commissioner will hand over the questionnaire to the government of Iceland. The replies to the questionnaire, which are due back on 16 November 2009, are necessary for the Commission to prepare the opinion on Iceland's application for EU membership. During his visit, Commissioner Rehn will also meet the representatives of the Icelandic Parliament - the Althingi - as well as the Foreign Minister and the Finance Minister of Iceland. On 9 September he will hold a lecture at the University of Iceland.
with Croatia on 2 October in Brussels, six chapters were opened and five closed in the country's negotiations with the EU. Accession negotiations with Croatia have entered a decisive stage and further substantial progress in the accession negotiations can be expected over the next months. Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn noted: "I welcome the agreement between the two Prime Ministers to settle this issue and reopen Croatia's accession negotiations. Therefore it is a win-win day for Slovenia and Croatia, but also win-win-win, because Europe is winning today as well." Croatia has now opened 28 chapters and provisionally closed twelve with the EU underlining that on all these chapters, monitoring of progress in the alignment with and implementation of the acquis would continue throughout the negotiations.
