The instrument for pre-accession assistance-II (IPA II) finances the enlargement policy of the European Union for the period of 2014-2020. IPA II is the continuation of the IPA I instrument which expires at the end of 2013. Following trilogues with the Council and Commission, almost all key European Parliament objectives have been safeguarded.
In order to have a new regulation and ensure a legal basis for continued funding of enlargement, the European Parliament compromised on the term "beneficiaries listed in Annex I" instead of beneficiary countries. However, the Parliament made a (a legally non-binding) statement that it considers the term ‘beneficiaries’ to apply to countries. Moreover, concerning assistance to minorities, a joint political declaration was adopted which is attached to the regulation and which provides assurances that financing for minorities will continue as under IPA-I. A detailed set of specific objectives provide a comprehensive assistance framework.