Written answers

Tuesday, 4 April 2006

Department of Foreign Affairs

EU Enlargement

9:00 pm

Photo of John PerryJohn Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures Romania has taken towards membership into the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13044/06]

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the date for entry to the European Union of Bulgaria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13047/06]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 146 together.

The accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union will mark the completion of the fifth enlargement process, which will increase the Union's membership to 27. The Union's objective is to welcome both countries as members on 1 January 2007. The EU could, however, postpone the accession of either or both countries for up to one year if the Commission considers that either country would be unprepared to meet the requirements of membership in 2007.

The Commission's annual monitoring reports for Bulgaria and Romania, which were published on 25 October 2005, stated that preparations for membership were well advanced in both countries but highlighted a number of issues needing urgent attention before the date of accession. These include the fight against corruption, the reform of the judiciary, the need to increase capacity to manage EU Structural Funds and the importance of compliance with EU veterinary standards.

The progress being made by both countries in implementing the necessary reforms is being closely monitored by the Commission and the member states. Association Councils were recently held with both countries — with Bulgaria on 31 January and with Romania on 20 March. These provided a timely opportunity to review the progress of both countries' preparations for membership.

The Council will make a final decision on the date of accession for Bulgaria and Romania in June on the basis of a recommendation from the Commission, which will be presented in its monitoring reports due to be published in mid-May 2006. Ireland believes that it is important for both countries to make effective use of the coming months to address all outstanding issues so that they can accede to the EU on 1 January 2007. To this end, both countries benefit from the Department of Foreign Affairs' bilateral assistance programme, which provides support for new member states, acceding and candidate countries in coping with the considerable challenges of EU membership.

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