BERR and Enlargement
The UK is strongly committed to EU enlargement and has been at the forefront of the enlargement process. Enlargement will unite Europe in peace and stability alongside expanding the single market. This will create commercial opportunities for British businesses as well as wider economic benefits for the UK.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) leads on enlargement overall and coordinates policy for the UK. Other government departments lead in the negotiations on their respective areas. BERR’s work on EU enlargement has involved:
- Ensuring BERR and UK business interests are represented in the negotiations between the EU and each applicant country. BERR is the key department on single market issues, energy, competition and industrial policy. BERR also has an interest in areas such as environment, employment and social policy.
- Working to help the accession countries prepare for EU entry, particularly in respect of the single market, by providing advice and technical assistance. BERR takes part in the EC’s twinning and TAIEX (Technical Assistance Information Office) schemes, designed to share expertise from the current member states with the accession countries. We also provide assistance bilaterally.
- Promoting awareness of EU enlargement with UK businesses.
Related Information
See External Links section on right for the following:
General information on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) work on enlargement please see FCO website.
Further information on trade and investment opportunities in the candidate countries please see UK Trade and Investment website.
For information on the European Union, including information on enlargement see European Commission's website.
(675KB)