Brussels, 12/04/2005 (Agence Europe) - Both rapporteurs of the European Parliament on the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU, British Conservative Geoffrey Van Orden and French Socialist Pierre Moscovici, called this Tuesday for the European Parliament to give its blessing to the accession of both countries in its vote this Wednesday, the plenary giving its support to them both by voicing its “very strong yes” in their favour. The MEPs have now been given the word of the Commission and the Luxembourg Presidency that the European Parliament will be involved in the monitoring process for both countries and in the decision on postponing their accession to 2008, if needs be, which means that its involvement will not stop on Wednesday with its assent votes. The Commission will “seriously consider” the EP's opinion when it comes time for it to make its recommendations to the Council in 2006, Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn told the plenary, thus formally confirming the pledge he made to the EP's committee on foreign affairs on 30 March (see also President Barroso's letter to President Borrell in EUROPE 8925). This is not a legally binding commitment, but a “major political statement” which will, de facto, give the EP the right to an “extended assent vote” on the accessions of both countries. Speaking on behalf of the Luxembourg Presidency, Nicolas Schmit told MEPs that Jean-Claude Juncker had also written to Josep Borrell to confirm the Council's intentions to “take due account” of the EP in its decision on whether to fall back on the safeguard clauses provided against Bulgaria or Romania. “This is not a token gesture” but a genuine political commitment on the part of the Council and the Commission, the minister for European affairs underlined.
Bulgaria is well on the way to being fully prepared for its accession on 1 January 2007, “and it is unfortunate that Bulgaria has been caught in the wave of concerns” which has been brewing recently about the state of preparedness of the other candidate country, Romania, wrote Geoffrey Van Orden with regret, pointing out that it has always been said that each candidate would be judged on its own merits. Nor, that said, is everything rosy in Bulgaria, where the authorities will have a lot of hard work ahead of them between now and 1 January 2007, particularly when it comes to implementing the acquis, warned Mr Van Orden. The reform of the legal system and the police, and the fight against organised crime and corruption still pose problems, as does the protection of the Roma, but with the necessary political goodwill and resources, the current and future government will be able to meet these challenges. “I therefore recommend a resounding yes in favour of Bulgaria's accession”, Mr Van Orden concluded. It is important not to separate the votes on Bulgaria and Romania, because both countries must be welcomed with equal goodwill and enthusiasm, said Pierre Moscovici. The rapporteur for Romania called on his colleagues to vote in favour of Romania and to take a “positive stance, because much progress has been accomplished in this country and because accession will act as a catalyst on Romanian society”. At the same time, the EP must be “clear and exacting” towards the Romanian authorities, “because we must not hide things: problems remain, especially in the field of justice and home affairs, the fight against corruption, border control, the recognition of minorities (especially the Roma and the Hungarian minority), competition and environmental protection. There is a lot left to do and the Romanian government must concentrate on these elements”, said Mr Moscovici.
“In the 21 months remaining before the deadline of 1 January 2007, Bulgaria and Romania must both deliver on key reforms” if they are to be able to keep the commitments they made in the accession negotiations, stressed the Commissioner for Enlargement, Olli Rehn. “The clock is ticking. Every day, every week, every month counts”. Bulgaria must keep up the pace, especially in its reforms of the legal system, which must remain the “priority of priorities”, and in the fight against organised crime and corruption, said Mr Rehn. As for Romania, efforts should focus on the reform of the administration and of the legal system, the fight against corruption, competition, the environment and the protection of external borders. “On the basis of my regular meetings with the Romanian authorities, I am convinced that the new Romanian government has understood the scope and importance of the monitoring and the urgency to deliver concrete results in the first semester of 2005”.
“In my view, we have reason to be cautiously optimistic as regards Romania's preparation for accession. It is now time to give Romania the benefit of the doubt”, the Commissioner said. By 1 January 2007, both countries will be subject to “very strict monitoring” undertaken by the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament, Mr Rehn said. Should such monitoring show that Bulgaria or Romania, or both countries, are not sufficiently prepared for membership, “I shall not hesitate to recommend that the Council use the instruments available to it to respond to such a situation, including the special safeguard clause allowing for membership to be postponed until 2008”, Mr Rehn maintained.
Speaking on behalf of the Luxembourg EU Council Presidency, Nicolas Schmit stressed the historic dimension of the new enlargement, saying: “Tomorrow, with the adoption of assent with regards Bulgaria and Romania, the EP will allow the EU to take a decisive step forward in the process of reunification of our continent. This is a new stage in European unification. The Bulgarian and Romania nations will thus find their rightful place within Europe whose history, heritage and culture they share”. The two countries should comply with the Community body of law at the time of accession, including in difficult and problematical areas, “as there will be no shortcut to EU membership”, Mr Schmit said. EUROPE will come back to this debate and to the vote on assent.