Luxembourg, 25/04/2005 (Agence Europe) - The Accession Treaty of Bulgaria and Romania was signed on Monday by the Heads of State and Government of both countries and by the foreign ministers of the EU at a formal ceremony at Neumünster Abbey (Luxembourg), during which various speakers emphasised the historical dimension of the event to conclude, after the ratification of the Treaty, with the accession of both countries of 1 January 2007. This accession will complete the EU's fifth wave of enlargement, which started on 1 May 2004 when ten countries from central and Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean joined.
At this 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, “I would like us to sign this Treaty in joy, which is given to us by the sum total of our efforts and which the sum total of future prospects holds upon for us”, said the President of the European Council Jean-Claude Juncker at the start of the ceremony, paying tribute to the Bulgarians and the Romanians, “especially the ordinary people, for having shouldered the weight” of the changes their countries have had to make in very short spaces of time, since the decision on the EU's eastern expansion was taken in Luxembourg in 1997. Your countries, hit by the “implacable logic” of the “disastrous decree of history” which divided Europe failed, for many decades, “to articulate their sovereignty” in line with their aspirations and dreams, said the Luxembourg Prime Minister, welcoming the prospects of “more liberty, more democracy, more well-being, more joy in living together”. “Last May's reunion will not be complete until you are members of the Union”, said Josep Borrell, President of the European Parliament, addressing the new Member States, adding: “The Parliament will be involved in the work of monitoring the efforts which have still to be made and in the decision-making process should the safeguard clauses need to be employed. We have been amicable partners, but also demanding partners”. The EU is based on solidarity, he pointed out, and assured Bulgaria and Romania that we must build the EU's future identity, the face it shows to the world (…) together. “The Union must secure its political autonomy through the Constitution. It must be more that just a club (…), and our policies will not always accord with those of the United States, or those of other powers or continents”. The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, pointed out that as of now, Bulgaria and Romania will take part as “active observers” in the meetings of the bodies and committees of the EU and the European Parliament. “This will allow you to meet your opposite numbers, to get across your opinions and learn how the Union works from the inside”, he said. The ratification process of the accession treaty by the various Member States of the EU must be accompanied by a “major communication effort”, he added, noting: “the Commission will play its part, but it is above all the work of the national leaders, and I count on their commitment”.
The Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Simeon de Saxe-Coburg, stressed the historical dimension of the signature of the Accession Treaty, “one of the greatest events of the history of my country”. “It is not just the signature of a treaty between States (…), it is a Union between the European citizens that we are building”, he said. Pending its accession proper, Bulgaria will continue to implement the necessary reforms, he said. “In this modernisation process, we will once again count on the support of civil society, the unions, business circles and non-government organisations. It is through perseverance and pragmatism that we, united round the common objective of accession on 1 January 2007- will continue to move our country forward”. Bulgaria rejoins the family of European people where it rightly belongs, said Mr de Saxe-Coburg, adding: “With its millennium of history, its own culture and its deeply European values, my country will make its own contribution to the common well-being, cultural diversity and the development of the Europe of the 21st century”.
The President of Romania, Traian Basescu, explained that for the Romanians, accession to the EU was “the accomplishment of a dream which is over half a century old, that of removing all barriers and sharing western European values, prosperity and security (…). We are prepared to play a major role to found our joint future (…). We will take on our share of responsibility and solidarity”. Romania takes “very seriously its role as a border guard over a large part of the Union's eastern border”, said Mr Basescu. The Romanian President said that he was “convinced” that the family spirit which reigned on Monday at the signing of the Accession Treaty “would also remain in the months to come, until accession itself takes place”, a period considered by Romania as “very important if the marriage is to take place as scheduled” on 1 January 2007. “I can assure you that we will do our best to fulfil our commitments. We will continue with our preparations with energy and determination. We have no intention of missing the rendez-vous in 2007”, said Mr Basescu.