It states that: 'Membership requires that the candidate country has achieved stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities, the existence of a functioning market economy as well as the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union. '
Se han dicho muchas cosas en este debate sobre los grandes progresos que Turquía está haciendo, pero se ha hablado muy poco de la capacidad de la Unión para absorber un país del tamaño y la naturaleza de Turquía.