Latest update: 23/01/2012 

- European Union


EU enlargement

EU enlargement

Europe District takes you on a journey across the eight countries seeking to join the European Union. See how they size up.

EUROPE DISTRICT

CROATIA

• 25 June 1991 – Declaration of independence from Yugoslavia
• 1992 – International recognition
• 1995 – War with Serbia and Montenegro ends
• 2005 – Opening of negotiations with the EU
• December 2011 – EU Member States decide to close accession negotiations with Croatia
• 2013 – Croatia expected to become the EU’s 28th member
• Official language – Croatian
• Capital – Zagreb
• Parliamentary democracy – President of the Republic: Ivo Josipović ; Prime Minister: Zoran Milanović
• Area – 56,5421 sq km
• Population – 4.4 million
• Currency – Kuna
• National anthem – Lijepa naša domovino (Our beautiful Homeland)

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA (BiH)

• 1st March 1992 – Independence from Yugoslavia
• 1992-95 – War in the country claims 100,000 lives
• 1995 – The Dayton Agreement puts an end to the war
• 2008 – Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU
• Official languages – Bosnian, Serbian, Croatian
• Capital – Sarajevo
• Semi-direct democracy – Head of the Council of Ministers: Vjekoslav Bevanda
• Tripartite Presidency – Željko Komšić, Nebojša Radmanović, Bakir Izetbegović
• Area – 51,197 sq km
• Population – 3.8 million
• Currency – Convertible Mark (BAM)
• National anthem – Intermeco

TURKEY

• 29 October 1923 – Fall of the Ottoman Empire
• 1963 – EEC-Turkey Association Agreement
• 1999 – Turkey officially becomes EU candidate
• October 2005 – Formal opening of accession negotiations
• Official language – Turkish
• Capital – Ankara ; country’s largest city: Istanbul
• Parliamentary democracy – President of the Republic: Abdullah Gül ; Prime Minister: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
• Area – 783,562 sq km
• Population – 73 million
• Currency – Turkish lira
• National anthem – İstiklâl Marşı (Independence March İstiklâl Marşı)

KOSOVO

• 1998-1999 – Persecution of ethnic Albanians by Milosevic’s forces
• March 1999 – NATO intervention
• June 1999 – Kosovo is placed under UN administration
• 17 February 2008 – Kosovo unilaterally declares independence from Serbia. Recognized by 22 EU member states
• Languages – Albanian, Serbian, Bosnian and Turkish
• Capital – Pristina
• Republic – President: Atifete Jahjaga ; Prime Minister: Hashim Thaçi
• Area – 10,887 sq km
• Population – 1.8 million (estimated)
• Currency – Euro (without being a member of the Eurozone)
• National anthem – Europe

MONTENEGRO

• 3 June 2006 – Declaration of Independence and dissolution of the union with Serbia
• 17 December 2010 – Montenegro officially becomes EU candidate
• Official – Montenegrin
• Capital – Podgorica
• Area – 13,812 sq km
• Population – 630,000
• Parliamentary Republic – President: Filip Vujanović ; Prime Minister: Igor Lukšić
• Currency – Euro (without being a member of the Eurozone)
• National anthem – "Oh, Bright Dawn of May" (Oj, svijetla majska zoro)

ALBANIA

• 28 November 1912 – Independence from the Ottoman Empire
• 1945-1985 – ruled by dictator Enver Hoxha
• 1992 – Fall of Communism
• 1999 – Albania officially becomes EU candidate
• 2009 – Albania joins NATO
• Official language – Albanian
• Capital – Tirana
• Parliamentary Republic – President: Bamir Topi ; Prime Minister: Sali Berisha
• Area – 28,748 sq km
• Population – 3.5 million
• Currency – Lek
• National anthem – Hymni i Flamurit (Hymn to the Flag)

F.Y.R. of Macedonia

• 1991 – Independence
• January-August 2001 – armed conflict opposes ethnic Albanian rebels and pro-government forces
• December 2005 – FYROM officially becomes EU candidate
• Official languages – Macedonian, Albanian
• Capital – Skopje
• Republic – President: Gjorge Ivanov ; Prime Minister: Nikola Gruevski
• Area – 25,713 sq km
• Population – 2 million (estimate) 2002 census: ethnic Macedonians (64.2 %) and ethnic Albanians (25.2 %)
• Currency – Denar (MKD)
• National anthem – Denes Nad Makedonija (Today over Macedonia)

SERBIA

• 1980 – Death of communist dictator Josip Broz Tito
• 1989-2000 – Slobodan Milosevic leads Yugoslavia on a course of conflict and violent disintegration
• 1999 – NATO strikes
• 2009 – Serbia formally submits its application to join the EU
• Official language – Serbian
• Capital – Belgrade
• President – Boris Tadić ; Prime Minister: Mirko Cvetković
• Area – 88,3611 sq km
• Population – 7.2 million
• Currency – Serbian Dinar
• National anthem – Bože Pravde (God of Justice)

F.Y.R. of Macedonia: tough times for reporters (part 2)
28/04/2012 - EUROPE DISTRICT

F.Y.R. of Macedonia: tough times for reporters (part 2)

Trading with the neighbours - we show you how Macedonian companies are trying to make the most of their strategic location in the heart of the Balkans. Do you believe in miracles? We tell you why believers at Skopje’s Sveti Dimitrije Church do. Finally, Vladimiri Franz, a young rock musician shows you the many faces of the Macedonian capital Skopje.
F.Y.R. of Macedonia: tough times for reporters (part 1)
28/04/2012 - EUROPE DISTRICT

F.Y.R. of Macedonia: tough times for reporters (part 1)

As ethnic tensions mount, threatening to derail Skopje’s EU bid, we find out why Macedonian Slavs and ethnic Albanians remain at loggerheads ten years after the country found itself on the brink of civil war. We also tell you why Brussels has raised the alarm about media freedom. Finally, we meet Gligor Cemerski, one of Macedonia’s most prolific painters.
Croatia joins the EU family... and then there were 28
31/03/2012 - EUROPE DISTRICT

Croatia joins the EU family... and then there were 28

More than fifteen years after the end of a devastating war, we head to the border town of Metkovic where joint Croatian and Bosnian police units now work hand in hand. We also find out why Croatian milk farmers fear new EU rules will damage their businesses. And we meet Renata Poljak, a Croatian multimedia artist who will show you Zagreb like you have never seen it before.
Croatia joins the EU family... and then there were 28
31/03/2012 - EUROPE DISTRICT

Croatia joins the EU family... and then there were 28

On July 1st 2013, Croatia will officially join the European Union. We find out what ordinary Croatians expect from EU membership and we talk to Zoran Milanovic - the new Croatian Prime Minister plans to use EU structural funds to modernise his country. We also find out how match-fixing scandals have cast a dark shadow over Croatian football, and we meet Tereza Kesovija, the Grande Dame of Croatian music.
Serbia and the EU: the clock is ticking (part 2)
26/11/2011 - EUROPE DISTRICT

Serbia and the EU: the clock is ticking (part 2)

The growing popularity of far-right nationalist groups among Serbia’s disenchanted youth worries many observers. Our correspondent met the leaders of two such organizations: Obraz and 1349. We also tell you why organic farming could help save the country’s ailing agricultural sector. Finally, we meet the star of Serbian cinema, Miki Manoljovic, who played the leading role in 1995 blockbuster "Underground".

Comments
Post new comment
To prevent automated spam submissions leave this field empty.

Related Content
Close