What extent does the accession process and the membership criteria itself safeguard the values of the European Union set out in Article 2 TEU after a Member State has joined the EU? Is there sufficient accountability of EU Member States?

EU LAW

QUESTION ONE

When a candidate country applies to join the European Union, it works with the EU to ensure it can fulfil certain criteria. The Copenhagen Criteria 1993 sets out the political, economic and legal criteria. Alongside this, during the accession process, candidate countries have to demonstrate their willingness to engage with EU aims and values.

What extent does the accession process and the membership criteria itself safeguard the values of the European Union set out in Article 2 TEU after a Member State has joined the EU? Is there sufficient accountability of EU Member States?