EU 'jury out' on Romania and Bulgaria

The European Commission has ruled that the “jury is still out” on Bulgarian and Romanian preparedness for EU entry in 2007.

The EU executive warned both hopefuls on Tuesday that without “serious action” in the next few months, they will not meet the 2007 entry deadline.

“At the moment the commission may recommend that the Council postpone the accession of Bulgaria and Romania until January 2008,” the progress reports concluded.

The commission said it would implement ‘safeguards’ in spring next year – allowing the EU to postpone entry if requirements are not met.

Both Sofia and Bucharest signed up to the safeguards written into the small print of entry requirements in April this year. 

Safeguards for Bulgaria can only be triggered by unanimity among EU governments, and by a qualified majority vote for Romania.

The progress reports urged extra efforts on fighting corruption, improving justice, securing borders and cleaning up the administration of Brussels funding.

“The issues presented in our reports should be taken very seriously and used as an incentive for speeding up reforms,” a commission statement explained.

‘Serious concerns’

The findings highlighted four areas of serious concern that require “urgent action” in both countries.

In Bulgaria unease centred on food safety, the preparedness of structural funds, combating corruption and also organised crime.

Romania was also urged to take action on food safety, structural funds and corruption and was pushed to do more on pollution.

Progress reports published earlier this year had suggested that Sofia was ahead of Bucharest. Tuesday’s findings put the two on an equal footing and this will come as a blow to Bulgaria. 

Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn added that both Sofia and Bucharest would have to pull their socks up in the weeks ahead.

“In the months to come particular attention must be paid to actual implementation and enforcement of the reforms,” he insisted.

• Previous article
• Next article