Romania and Bulgaria are still on track to join the EU on
January 1, but Bulgaria must first do more to fight organized crime
and corruption and Romania must address agricultural and tax
issues, the European Commission (EC) said Tuesday.
The two countries' progress will be evaluated again in early
October, EC President Jose Manuel Barroso said.
"The possibility of being ready in 2007 is doable, but it is for
the two countries to deliver. At the same time, the EU needs to
deliver a clear signal that it stands ready to honor its
commitments," Barroso said.
Bulgaria, the less prepared of the two countries, must show
clear results in investigating and prosecuting organized crime
networks; implement laws for fighting fraud and corruption; do more
to prevent money laundering; prevent embezzlement of EU aid; and
complete agriculture reforms, the commission said in a progress
report.
Romania must finish setting up agencies for disbursing EU aid to
farmers; raise veterinary standards for livestock and other
agricultural reforms; and make its electronic tax administration
system interoperable with the EU to allow proper collection of VAT,
the report said.
Romania Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu welcomed the
commission's report.
"The report sends two messages. Joining the EU in 2007 is
completely doable, and that Romania has made progress in the last
seven months and has to continue in the same rhythm and same
direction," he said.
Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Ivailo Kalfin called the reports
balanced and said that the EC's recommendations can be
implemented.
Bulgaria and Romania are among the most corrupt countries in
Europe, according to Transparency International, and they are much
poorer than the rest of the 25-nation bloc.
One hurdle remaining for both Romania and Bulgaria is the
ratification of their EU membership by parliaments of all 25-member
states. Germany, France and others have still not ratified the
Balkan countries' accession.
Western European critics of the EU's expansion say the bloc has
not fully dealt with the adhesion of 10 mostly ex-communist
countries in 2004 and fear the entry of more nations will hasten
the erosion of cherished social welfare benefits.
(Chinadaily.com.cn via agencies, May 17, 2006)
