THE DEATH PENALTY IN THE OSCE AREA cases concerning detention on death row, the method of execution, and the issuance of execution warrants to mentally incapable persons. EUROPEAN UNION The EU takes an active stance against the death penalty in its relations with accession countries and third countries. First, the abolition of the death penalty is a prerequisite to accession to the EU.23 Second, the EU has developed Guidelines on European Union policy towards third countries on the death penalty.24 These Guidelines, which are reproduced in Annex 2, contain a list of minimum standards on the use of the death penalty. 23 24 The abolition of the death penalty for peacetime crimes is an element of the Copenhagen Criteria for accession countries to the European Union. General Affairs Council, Luxembourg, 29 June 1998. 12