February 22, 2005

EU Commission Approves Bulgaria, Romania 2007 Entry Plans

BRUSSELS -- The European Union Commission Tuesday formally approve Bulgaria and Romania 's plans to join the E.U. in 2007.

Although the Brussels-based executive has criticized both Balkan countries - Romania for corruption in awarding public service contracts and Bulgaria for its lack of judicial reform - the Commission said the weaknesses weren't enough yet to hold up entry.

This "is a clear signal that the Commission welcomes Bulgaria and Romania in the European family," said E.U. Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn . "However the authorities in the countries cannot lie back and relax: in 2005 and 2006 a lot of hard work will be needed to progress on reforms in order to fully and timely meet all conditions for membership."

The Commission's decision Tuesday means it believes the two countries will meet their obligations. If they don't, however, the Commission cautioned that membership still could be postponed.

Both Balkan countries first applied to join the E.U. back in 1995. In October, 2004, E.U. leaders agreed that the two countries have achieved the level of democracy required for membership, but still needed to fulfill the economic and legal conditions. A formal accession treaty is scheduled to be signed next month.