Strasbourg, 14/12/2004 (Agence Europe) - The president of the ALDE Group at the European Parliament, Graham Watson, welcomed on Monday in a press release the victory won by Traian Bazescu and Calin Tariceanu. He notes that, by choosing the Alliance of Democrats and Liberals, the Romanians have taken a stand against the corruption and authoritarianism of the Iliescu/Nastase regime. In so doing, the British Liberal Democrat is pleased to state, the Romanian people have elected a president and a parliament that will "set Romania firmly on the path to membership". With a view to the European Council on Thursday and Friday, Mr Watson notes that the concerns of many EU leaders for democracy in Romania may not be "set aside", adding: Now, Mr Bazescu and his partners may "swiftly free the state-controlled broadcaster from government interference", tackle corruption and strengthen the independence of the judiciary system. Romania may therefore, with sufficient determination and good will, be ready to join the EU in January 2007.