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An infographic on a textured beige background outlining the second requirement for EU entry. The top text states, "3 REQUIREMENTS EVERY COUNTRY MUST MEET TO JOIN THE EUROPEAN UNION:". In the center, a blue hand-drawn circle contains the number "2," next to the bold blue heading "FUNCTIONING MARKET ECONOMY." Subtle, blue hand-drawn arrows point toward the center from the sides. Below, the descriptive text reads: "A functioning market economy that can compete within the EU's Single Market."

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An infographic on a textured beige background outlining the second requirement for EU entry. The top text states, "3 REQUIREMENTS EVERY COUNTRY MUST MEET TO JOIN THE EUROPEAN UNION:". In the center, a blue hand-drawn circle contains the number "2," next to the bold blue heading "FUNCTIONING MARKET ECONOMY." Subtle, blue hand-drawn arrows point toward the center from the sides. Below, the descriptive text reads: "A functioning market economy that can compete within the EU's Single Market."
https://ec.social-network.europa.eu/system/media_attachments/files/116/856/441/053/088/594/original/8f2268c014afadfb.png

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European Commission (eucommission@ec.social-network.europa.eu)'s status on Saturday, 04-Jul-2026 17:09:33 JST European Commission

❌ Myth: "The EU just decides to add any country it wants, when it feels like it."
✅ Reality: “That's not how EU enlargement works.”
The process of joining the EU is based on a clear set of requirements known as the Copenhagen Criteria, agreed by EU leaders in 1993.
Joining takes years of reforms, negotiations, and continuous assessment. Progress is evaluated on merit.
Every candidate country goes through the same process before joining.
Read more here:
https://link.europa.eu/F639Tm

In conversation about a day ago from ec.social-network.europa.eu permalink