Romania and Bulgaria clear final EU hurdle

Germany has agreed to EU entry for Romania and Bulgaria – the last remaining hurdle to membership on January 1 next year.

The vote in the upper house in Berlin on Friday means the ratification process for both countries is now over. 

All 25 EU member states have agreed to the accession treaty. 

"This finalizes the last legal step for the accession of the two countries,” EU enlargement commissioner confirmed.

“Thus I welcome Bulgaria and Romania as new member states in our union on January 1 2007.”

Speaking after the vote Germany's minister for Europe Günter Gloser said accession "would send a positive signal for the future of the EU."

Other German officials urged both countries to continue with reforms of their judicial systems.

Bulgaria and Romania were given the go-ahead for EU entry by the European commission in September.

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