- 1). Submit an application to the EEC on behalf of a nation-state. For example, the United Kingdom applied to join the EEC in both the 1960s and the 1970s. The first application was rejected after a veto by the government of France.
- 2). Ensure that all entry criteria are met. A state must show that it has political stability, economic stability, and accepts all of the existing EEC laws. If these are not met, a state can begin pre-accession talks, although this will not lead to membership until the criteria are satisfied.
- 3). Sign the accession treaty upon completion of the criteria. This is a bilateral agreement between the new member state and the EEC itself. This will formalize membership, and bring the institutions of the EEC up to date.
- 4). Ratify the treaty in the national parliament. This is not just the duty of the new country, but also of the existing member states. After this membership is fully official, and the country is a member of the EEC.
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