EU to delay final Bulgaria, Romania entry review

Progress in areas of ‘serious concern’ to be evaluated in September

Wake-up call. A man sleeps near an EU flag in Bucharest. An internal Commission note said Brussels would say Romania and Bulgaria could still join next year provided they had made more progress on reforms first.

By Marcin Grajewski - Reuters

BRUSSELS - Bulgaria and Romania will have to wait another five months to learn if they can join the European Union on January 1, 2007, or must wait another year, the bloc’s executive will tell the Balkan countries today.

An internal European Commission note and an official familiar with preparations for the keenly awaited recommendation said Brussels would say the two states could still join next year provided they made better progress on reforms first.

“The progress in all the fields and especially in areas of ‘serious concern’ will be evaluated in September by the Commission,” said the note circulated to senior EU officials and seen by Reuters.

Bulgaria’s biggest shortcomings are in fighting organized crime and corruption. Romania’s are on technical issues such as EU-compatible computer systems for tax collection.

“Based on the progress, the Commission will make the recommendation should Bulgaria and Romania be ready to join the EU as of 2007,” the note added.

The accession treaty for the two Balkan states gives the EU the possibility of delaying their accession until 2008 if they are deemed manifestly unprepared.

The strict treatment of the Black Sea duo is also meant to reassure a skeptical public in Western Europe that the EU is cautious about enlargement ahead of possible future expansion into the Western Balkans and Turkey, analysts say.

Bulgaria Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev reiterated a warning that delaying his country’s entry until 2008 would provoke an anti-EU backlash and slow down reforms.

“A possible postponement will discourage the people, who bear the burden of changes; it will undermine public confidence, causing insecurity for business and encouraging those who are against our European and democratic development,” he told The Parliament magazine.

Anticipating a possible delay in the Commission’s final proposal, Bulgaria’s Socialist-led ruling coalition said the country’s EU integration minister would prepare an action plan by the end of next week for completing needed reforms.

“The document will outline the deadlines, the responsible institutions and the steps that have to be taken by September this year,” the coalition said in a statement.

Senior Commission officials, who debated the recommendation yesterday, believe the final verdict could be delayed until early October, one official said.

The Commission was also bound to express optimism that Bulgaria and Romania may join the EU in 2007.

“In the light of the overall progress made by Bulgaria and Romania... the Commission considers it should be possible for Bulgaria and Romania to be prepared for membership on January 1, 2007,” the official quoted the draft recommendation as saying.

Senior officials will discuss it again this morning before the full 25-member EU executive body makes its recommendation in the afternoon.