WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Once an applicant country meets the conditions for membership, it must implement EU rules and regulations in all areas. Any country that satisfies the conditions for membership can apply.

Detailed explanation-2: -Although non-European states are not considered eligible to be members, they may enjoy varying degrees of integration with the EU, set out by international agreements. The general capacity of the community and the member states to conclude association agreements with third countries is being developed.

Detailed explanation-3: -Most recently signed AAs also include a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the EU and the third country. Association Agreements have to be accepted by the European Union and need to be ratified by all the EU member states and the state concerned.

Detailed explanation-4: -To join the EU, a state needs to fulfil economic and political conditions called the Copenhagen criteria (after the Copenhagen summit in June 1993), which require a stable democratic government that respects the rule of law, and its corresponding freedoms and institutions.

Detailed explanation-5: -Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) states that “Any Member State may decide to withdraw from the Union in accordance with its own constitutional requirements". Currently, the United Kingdom is the only former member state to have withdrawn from the European Union.