Brussels, 18/06/2004 (Agence Europe) - No surprises at the European Council with regard to enlargement. On Friday it confirmed the timetable and basic principles for finalising the accession process for Bulgaria and Romania. The objective is still to conclude the negotiations with Romania by the end of 2004, sign the Accession Treaty (there will be a single document for the two countries) as early as possible in 2005; - and for the two countries to join on 1 January 2007, "if they are ready". Technical work on preparing the Accession Treaty will start in July 2004.
The European Council welcomed the conclusion of the technical conclusions with Bulgaria (see EUROPE of 16 June) and noted that Romania had made significant progress and had made substantial moves in the direction of concluding negotiations. The Commission's next regular reports on Bulgaria and Romania (to be published in October) will assess the extent to which the two countries are ready to apply the Community acquis by 2007. It is 'crucial' that they be ready to assume all their duties as future Member States, commented the European Council, appealing to the two governments to intensify their efforts. Particular attention should be paid to strengthening administrative and judicial capacity, pursuing economic and structural reforms and implement the Community acquis, in line with the timetable agreed during the negotiations. The EU will pay particular attention to scrupulously respecting its commitments, notes the conclusions document. Last week, Bulgaria had to accept a strengthened backup clause whereby the EU can delay accession by a year (until 2008) if Bulgaria has serious problems in meeting its obligations as a Member State. The same clause will be proposed (meaning imposed?) for Romania, commented Enlargement Commissioner Günter Verheugen.