The EU still cannot be considered as a major player in the field of minority protection. However, there is a visible discrepancy between its external actions, related to the enlargement process, and its internal policy regarding minorities living within EU Member States. The first one is showing the signs of fully-fledged minority protection, by referring to the political part of the Copenhagen criteria as a precondition of EU membership. The second one is focusing on non-discrimination requirements, which certainly has a positive effect on the life of minorities, but which cannot be considered as a classic minority protection policy in its strict sense.  [---]