Estonia · 25th anniversary of the 2004 EU enlargement

On 1 May 2004, ten countries joined the European Union: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Malta and Cyprus. It was the largest enlargement round of the European Union to date. The number of its member states thereby increased from 15 to 25.

The enlargement was the result of several years of accession negotiations. The requirements for accession included stable democratic institutions, respect for the rule of law and human rights, and a functioning market economy. The new member states also undertook to apply the body of European Union law.

The accession of Central and Eastern European countries further overcame the political division of Europe that had emerged after the Second World War. For Estonia, accession meant firm integration into European political and economic structures. At the same time, the enlargement was a step towards consolidating cooperation between countries with different historical experiences.

The 25th anniversary therefore commemorates not only Estonia’s accession, but also a shared process of European integration. The choice of this occasion for a commemorative coin refers to Estonia’s accession to the European Union and to the long-term significance of the enlargement for the political order of Europe.