Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs when it is envisaged that Romania and Bulgaria will join the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18609/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Both Romania and Bulgaria are due to accede to the Union on 1 January 2007, if they are ready. The Treaty of Accession with both countries was signed last month and since then they have become active observers at nearly all EU meetings. Bulgaria ratified the treaty on 11 May and Romania is expected to ratify within the next few weeks. In order for the treaty to come into effect, as envisaged, on 1 January 2007 it must be ratified by all EU member states by 31 December 2006.