| Posted on the off-chance that Europe still matters. |
In a recommendation on what could be the EU’s last expansion for years, the European Commission listed reforms the Balkan duo must complete to avoid being deprived early on of full membership benefits, including some of their huge EU aid. “Accession of Bulgaria and Romania will mark a historic achievement ... which further pursues the reunification of our European family,” European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told the European Parliament.
It will be the EU’s second wave of enlargement into ex-communist eastern Europe, locking the Black Sea neighbours into the zone of stability and prosperity and promising a boost to their fast-growing economies. “This is the genuine and final fall of the Berlin Wall for Bulgaria,” said Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev, referring to the 1989 fall of communism in eastern Europe.
The tough entry conditions reflected concern about the countries’ shortcomings, including rampant corruption, organised crime and food safety standards, and doubts over their ability to administer billions of euros in EU aid properly. “Bulgaria and Romania will enrich the Union without compromising the proper functioning of EU policies and institutions. The interests of the EU and our citizens can be assured and EU taxpayers’ money protected,” EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said.