By Bruno Waterfield - 15th May 2006
Romania’s remaining EU “red flags” are in four overwhelmingly technical or administrative areas, finds a European commission monitoring report.
The May 16 Brussels monitoring report raises “four areas of serious concern” with Romania’s progress on EU membership reforms.
But in good news for Bucharest, difficult corruption or judicial reform issues are no longer a major stumbling block – although extra efforts are urged before January 2007 EU entry.
Last October, Bucharest rang alarm bells in 14 areas, including the politically sensitive areas of corruption, counterfeiting, border controls and the management of EU funds.
And in November 2005, European enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn wrote an “early warning letter” to the Romanian government.
Six months later, Romania’s priorities are in mainly technical, and theoretically more achievable, areas: VAT computer systems, post-BSE rules on meat rendering, the operations and administration of farm payment agencies.
On justice and corruption, Brussels singles out Bucharest for praise following a raft of reform and high-profile indictments.
“Since the October 2005 report, there has been progress in a number of areas. Significant steps have been taken in the reform of the judiciary,” notes the May 2006 report.
“Romania has made progress in fighting corruption, by establishing sound structures and launching investigations into a considerable number of high-level cases.”
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