EU celebrates 20th anniversary on May 1

Highlights: The EU celebrated its biggest enlargement on May 1.

• The European Union celebrates its 20th anniversary on 1, 2024.
• Twenty years ago, on May 1, 2004, around ten countries joined the EU together.
• Ten countries that joined in 2004 are Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.
• All these countries are Schengen member states with free movement within the Schengen area.

 

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Ten countries joined the EU together

The European Union celebrated the 20th anniversary of its largest enlargement on May 1, 2024. A total of 10 countries joined EU in 2004. Few other countries are trying to become member states of the EU in the future. All these countries are considered as Schengen areas except Cyprus. These countries have free movement with a Schengen visa, guaranteeing that everyone who enters these areas enjoys secure travel without having to worry about border checks.

 

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We Have Played a Significant Role in Shaping the EU, Estonian PM Says

Estonia said that the country had played an important role in molding the bloc’s development. According to the Prime Minister of Estonia, Kaja Kallas, Estonia's elevation to the EU has been a success story. The same highlighted that the elevation has allowed Estonia to assist other countries in their journey towards membership.

 

Kaja Kallas further stressed that with the support of the EU, Estonia has made investments in many areas. At the same time, EU membership gives Estonian nationals the freedom to work, study, and travel in the other member states without having to go through long processes.

 

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Another 3 Countries joined the EU since 2007

Bulgaria and Romania became member states of the EU in 2007, and Croatia became member states in 2013.

List of seven enlargement rounds

Year	Countries
1973	Denmark, Great Britain, Ireland
1981	Greece
1986	Portugal, Spain
1995	Austria, Finland, Sweden
2004	Czechia, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia
2007	Bulgaria, Romania
2013	Croatia

 

Other countries, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia, are also looking to join the EU.

 

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