Way open for Romania, Bulgaria accession

The foreign affairs committee of the European Parliament yesterday backed calls for Romania and Bulgaria to join the EU in 2007, clearing the way for the signature next month of EU membership treaties with both countries.

The committee gave a strong signal to all 732 MEPs to endorse the signature of the accession treaties at a full plenary vote on the issue to be taken on April 13 in Strasbourg.

The vote in the Parliament's assembly is the final hurdle before Sofia and Bucharest can sign the treaty on April 25 in Luxembourg.

Both eastern Balkan countries are hoping to join the EU's 25 member states on January 1, 2007 but the EU has reserved the right to delay the entry of both countries by one year if they fail to make adequate reforms - such as in the areas connected to an independent judiciary, organised crime and corruption.

After yesterday's vote, some MEPs voiced concern about the Parliament's role in monitoring the accession preparations of both countries - including the EU's final say on whether to postpone entry to 2008.

"This vote indicates continued support for Romania's accession aspirations while conveying a note of frustration that the Parliament's assent will be its last formal word on the subject while the Commission and Council continue to raise the possibility of invoking safeguard clauses if commitments are not fulfilled," said MEP Emma Nicholson, the Liberal's group spokesman on Romania's accession application.

"In future accession processes, the Parliament should be fully involved at every stage."

Speaking to MEPs on Tuesday, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said the Commission would take Parliament's views into account when it publishes its monitoring report on Bulgaria and Romania, expected in November.

The accession treaty will have to be signed by all EU leaders and ratified by all national parliaments before it enters into force.