In 1993, at the Copenhagen European Council, the Union agreed that the associated countries in Central and Eastern Europe that so desire shall become members of the European Union. At the same time the European Council defined the membership criteria, which are often referred to as the "Copenhagen criteria".

Membership criteria require that the candidate country must have achieved:

• the stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities;
• the existence of a functioning market economy as well as the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union;
• the ability to take on the obligations of membership including adherence to the aims of political, economic and monetary union.

On 1 February 1993, Romania signed the Agreement instituting an association between Romania, on one hand, and the European Communities and their Member States, on the other (Europe Agreement).

This agreement, which created a free trade zone between Romania and the Member States, recognized Romania's objective to become a member of the European Community and provided financial and technical assistance from the EU.

Romania submitted its application for EU membership on 22 June 1995, a few months after the Europe Agreement had entered into force (on 1 February 1995).

The objectives of the Agreement are:

• to create an institutional framework in order to establish an intense political dialogue;
• to support Romania's efforts towards a functioning market economy and a strengthened democracy;
• to create conditions for the free movement of goods, services, capitals and persons;
• to create the necessary framework and environment for the development of economic, social, financial and cultural co-operation between the two parties.