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News Releases
No. 80/06
September 26, 2006
EUROPEAN COMMISSION CONFIRMS ACCESSION OF BULGARIA AND ROMANIA TO EU NEXT
YEAR WITH ACCOMPANYING MEASURES
Today the European Commission adopted its
final monitoring report on the
preparedness of
Bulgaria and Romania for EU membership. Based on the solid
progress achieved, the Commission considers that both countries will be in a
position to take on the rights and obligations of EU membership on January 1,
2007. To address the limited number of areas where further work will be
necessary, the Commission proposed a package of rigorous
accompanying measures.
 “I
congratulate the people and the leaders of Bulgaria and Romania for this
historic achievement," said European Commission President
José
Manuel Barroso. "Our objective assessment demonstrates that the accession
of these two countries, as scheduled, with the accompanying measures we propose,
is a chance to complete the EU’s fifth enlargement. This enlargement has
consolidated peace and brought more prosperity in Europe. This is the right
decision for Bulgaria and for Romania and this is the right decision for
Europe."
In
May 2006, the Commission considered that “Bulgaria and Romania should be
prepared for EU membership on January 1, 2007, provided that they address a
number of outstanding issues." Since then both countries have made far-reaching
efforts and addressed many of the challenges. This has sufficiently brought them
into line with prevailing standards and practices within the Union. As for the
limited number of outstanding issues, the Commission’s report demonstrates that
the EU disposes sufficient remedies to ensure that the interests of the Union
and its citizens are protected.
Since May, the two countries have successfully addressed about half of the
identified open areas. Based on the current momentum, it is reasonable to expect
that the majority of the remaining issues will be resolved during the months to
come.
To avoid any potential risks, the Commission has determined a number of measures
to accompany the accession of Bulgaria and Romania. The Commission will set up a
mechanism for cooperation and verification of progress in the area of judicial
reform, fight against corruption and organized crime. For the protection of the
EU’s financial interests a special regulation has been adopted today for
agricultural spending. EU rules provide for comprehensive measures to counter
risks, in areas such as food safety.
EU
Commissioner for Enlargement
Olli Rehn added:
“Our approach is fair and
rigorous. It is fair because we recognised the progress that has been achieved
and we gave credit where it is due. It is rigorous because we established the
necessary mechanism to accompany Bulgaria and Romania on their reform path, in
the interest of the two countries and of the EU as a whole.”
Subject to the outstanding ratification processes in four EU Member States, on
January 1, 2007, Bulgaria’s and Romania’s accession will bring 30 million people
into the EU, thus completing the EU’s historic fifth round of enlargement and
creating a Union of almost half a billion citizens.
For further information (monitoring reports, speeches), please visit:
http://www.eurunion.org/newsweb/HotTopics/Enlargement.htm .
Further Contact Information
Press and Public Diplomacy
Delegation of the European Commission
2300 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
http://www.eurunion.org/PressRoom
Tel: 202-862-9552
Fax: 202-429-1766
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