Frontier - European Union

European Union

In the European Union, the frontier is the region beyond the expanding borders of the European Union itself. The E.U. has designated the countries surrounding it as part of the European Neighbourhood. This is a region of primarily less-developed countries, many of which aspire to become part of the E.U. Current applicants include Turkey and many small countries in the Balkans and South Caucasus. Romania and Bulgaria joined the E.U. in 2007. Proposals to admit Turkey have been debated but are now currently stalled, partly on the ground that Turkey is beyond Europe's historic frontier and it is yet to comply with the 35 point policy areas set out by the E.U. If all or most East European states become members, the frontier may be the boundaries with Russia and Turkey.