Those criteria relate to 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, and the ability to assume not only the rights but also the obligations under the Treaties, including adherence to the aims of political, economic and monetary union.
Baineann na critéir sin le cobhsaíocht na n-institiúidí ina ráthaítear an daonlathas, an smacht reachta, cearta an duine agus meas ar na mionlaigh agus cosaint na mionlach, agus geilleagar margaidh atá feidhmiúil, chomh maith leis an acmhainn chun déileáil le brú iomaíochta agus le fórsaí margaidh laistigh den Aontas, agus an cumas na cearta agus na hoibleagáidí faoi na Conarthaí a ghlacadh, lena n-áirítear cloí le haidhmeanna an aontais pholaitiúil, eacnamaíoch agus airgeadaíochta.