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- European Commission
- Enlargement
- How does it work?
- Negotiations
- The policy
- How does it work?
- Who does what?
- Projects in focus
- Turkish Cypriot community
- Press corner
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- Candidate countries
- Potential candidates
Negotiations
The first step in negotiations is "screening" – an in-depth analysis of the EU laws with which the candidate country must comply (known as the " acquis "). The laws are explained to the candidate countries and any problem areas identified jointly.
A "screening report" is then drawn up for each country and each area of legislation ("chapter"), as a basis for further negotiations.
Each candidate country submits a negotiating position, and the Commission sets out its view ("draft common position") to the Council. The Council finalises the EU's common position, opening the way for negotiation on each area of legislation.
Negotiations take place at ministerial level between permanent representatives for EU countries, and ambassadors or chief negotiators for candidate countries.
Status of negotiations with Croatia 
[168 KB] (30.06.2011)
Status of negotiations with Turkey [178 KB] (30.06.2010)
Status of negotiations with Iceland [167 KB] (12.12.2011)