Brussels – Since 2021, when a new methodology for the EU accession negotiations was introduced, the process of aligning with the EU acquis has been structured according to a system that is the same for all candidate countries.
The process is divided into 33 negotiating chapters, grouped into six clusters.
Once a cluster is opened – by unanimity of the member states – negotiations may begin on all chapters it contains, which are provisionally closed one by one – always by unanimity. The entire negotiation process is only concluded once every chapter has been definitively closed.
The process starts and ends with Cluster 1 – ‘Fundamentals’, which comprises five chapters covering economic criteria, the functioning of democratic institutions, and public administration reform. Negotiations cannot begin until the opening benchmarks for this cluster are met, and they conclude following a final screening of the closing benchmarks for these five chapters.
Cluster 1 – ‘Fundamentals’ is composed of 5 chapters: Chapter 5 – Public Procurement; Chapter 18 – Statistics; Chapter 23 – Judiciary and Fundamental Rights; Chapter 24 – Justice, Freedom and Security; Chapter 32 – Financial Control.
Cluster 2 – ‘Internal Market’ is composed of 9 chapters: Chapter 1 – Free Movement of Goods; Chapter 2 – Freedom of Movement for Workers; Chapter 3 – Right of Establishment and Freedom to Provide Services; Chapter 4 – Free Movement of Capital; Chapter 6 – Company Law; Chapter 7 – Intellectual Property Law; Chapter 8 – Competition Policy; Chapter 9 – Financial Services; Chapter 28 – Consumer and Health Protection.
Cluster 3 – ‘Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth’ is composed of 8 chapters: Chapter 10 – Information Society and Media; Chapter 16 – Taxation; Chapter 17 – Economic and Monetary Policy; Chapter 19 – Social Policy and Employment; Chapter 20 – Enterprise and Industrial Policy; Chapter 25 – Science and Research; Chapter 26 – Education and Culture; Chapter 29 – Customs Union.
Cluster 4 – ‘Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity’ is composed of 4 chapters: Chapter 14 – Transport Policy; Chapter 15 – Energy; Chapter 21 – Trans-European Networks; Chapter 27 – Environment and Climate Change.
Cluster 5 – ‘Resources, Agriculture and Cohesion’ is composed of 5 chapters: Chapter 11 – Agriculture and Rural Development; Chapter 12 – Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Policy; Chapter 13 – Fisheries; Chapter 22 – Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments; Chapter 33 – Financial and Budgetary Provisions.
Cluster 6 – ‘External Relations’ is composed of 2 chapters: Chapter 30 – External Relations; Chapter 31 – Foreign, Security and Defence Policy.
If needed, two more negotiating chapters – Chapter 34 – Institutions and Chapter 35 – Other Issues – may be provided outside the six clusters, within the specific negotiating framework of a candidate country.
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