Fact of the day
If a country has applied to join the European Union and its application has been officially accepted, it becomes a "candidate country". At present there are four candidate countries — Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey and Island.
Before a candidate country can join the EU it must have a stable system of democratic government, institutions that ensure the rule of law and respect for human rights. It must also have a functioning market economy and an administration capable of implementing EU laws and policies. The specific membership terms for each candidate country are worked out in negotiations with the European Commission.
Negotiations generally take several years to complete.