A European State which has applied to join the Union can become a member only when it has been confirmed that it meets the membership criteria established at the Copenhagen European Council in June 1993 (the ‘Copenhagen criteria’) and provided that the accession does not overstretch the capacity of the Union to integrate the new member.
Ní fhéadfaidh Stát Eorpach a chuir iarratas isteach ar dhul isteach san Aontas a bheith ina chomhalta go dtí go mbeidh sé deimhnithe go gcomhlíonann sé na critéir bhallraíochta a bhunaigh an Chomhairle Eorpach i gCóbanhávan i Meitheamh 1993 (“critéir Chóbanhávan”) agus ar an gcoinníoll nach gcuirfear an iomarca stró ar chumas an Aontais an comhalta nua a lánpháirtiú.