Brussels, 21/09/2004 (Agence Europe) - Two weeks away from publication by the European Commission on 6 October of the regular reports for Romania and Bulgaria, the Head Romanian negotiator for EU accession Vasile Puscas said (on 20 September) that he was confident that his country would on this occasion be recognised as a "functioning market economy" - an indispensable condition for concluding accession negotiations at the end of the is year. Puscas is also expecting the Commission to stipulate in its report at the time of accession (very likely to be in 2007), that Romania will be able to face up to competitive pressure in the internal EU market, a condition depending on the reforms being carried out unceasingly. European Commissioner Günter Verheugen's spokesperson refused to comment on Puscas' optimism and just confirmed that the 2004 report would certainly be better than the one last year.
Meanwhile, accession negotiations with Romania continue this Thursday in Brussels with a negotiation session at deputy level during which the two additional chapters will be closed: regional policy and free provision of services. Three chapters remain to be closed: competition policy, justice and home affairs, environment policy.