BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union will examine whether Bosnia has what it takes to become a member, continuing with enlargement just months after Britain decided to leave.

EU nations on Tuesday ordered the European Commission to establish whether Bosnia has earned candidate status, a process that could take a year.

A senior Slovak foreign ministry official, Ivan Korcok, says "this is a good day for Bosnia, but for us as well. We are showing that the enlargement strategy and approach to the aspiring countries works."

The Commission will now send a questionnaire to Bosnia seeking thousands of answers about its suitability to join.

It will assess Bosnia's economy, the state of democracy, the rule of law and human rights, and it ability to respect the obligations of membership.