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<p>Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) states that any European State
which respects its values and is committed to promoting them may apply to become a
member of the Union. The Council currently recognises five candidates for EU membership:
Turkey, Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Serbia. Turkey, Montenegro and Serbia have
started accession negotiations. Albania and Macedonia have Candidate Status but have
not started accession negotiations. Bosnia and Herzegovina submitted its membership
application on 15 February 2016. The General Affairs Council will revert to Bosnia
and Herzegovina's application once it deems that sufficient progress in the implementation
of the Reform Agenda has been achieved. Kosovo is recognised as a potential candidate
and has signed and concluded a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU.
Iceland started negotiations in 2013, but last year requested that it no longer be
considered a candidate country.</p>
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