Romania confident about its EU
prospects
02.02.2005 - 18:19 CET | By Lucia Kubosova
02.02.2005 - 18:19 CET | By Lucia Kubosova
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - An upbeat Romanian Foreign
Minister defended both his government's tax reforms and its steps to curb
corruption in a debate with MEPs on Wednesday (2 February).
Mihai Razvan Ungureanu told MEPs from the foreign
affairs committee that Bucharest is already preparing to send its observers to
the EU institutions, following the signing of the Accession treaty in
April.
Presenting his cabinet's agenda, Mr Ungureanu
expressed full confidence that the country would join the EU along with Bulgaria
in January 2007.
Both countries closed entry negotiations last
December, but could face a further delay in their accessions if they are found
not to be fulfilling their commitments to the EU.
"If I should start listing the things we've already
done to address the key issues, you might just stop me after five minutes and
let me sign up the accession right away", said Mr Ungureanu striking a confident
tone.
He added that the Romanian executive might be
currently dubbed as the "pampers government", for the low average age of its
ministers, but it is "not only innocent but also determined".
However, although they were almost unanimous in
praising the first steps of the new Romanian cabinet and president, MEPs warned
Mr Ungureanu that he would need real determination to prevent a triggering of
the EU's safeguard clause for postponing membership.
No social dumping, please
French Socialist MEP Pierre Moscovici, the rapporteur for Romania in the European Parliament, called for attention in the areas that remain problematic, such as corruption and fair competition.
French Socialist MEP Pierre Moscovici, the rapporteur for Romania in the European Parliament, called for attention in the areas that remain problematic, such as corruption and fair competition.
He called attention to Bucharest's economic
policies.
Referring to the recent introduction of a 16% flat
rate income tax, Mr Moscovici questioned whether it was social dumping.
One of the most difficult tasks facing Romania,
acknowledged by the minister on Wednesday, will be securing the external border
of the country.
"We have the longest border with the non-EU
countries that any member state has ever had. It is 2000 km long, so its
security can't be tackled easily."
Mr Moscovici told journalists he expected a
positive reaction in the European parliament when it votes on the treaty.
After the formal act of signing, Romania will send
its 35 observers to roam the parliamentary corridors, in order to prepare for
the country's full EU membership.
And with this in mind, Bucharest is already
encouraging its neighbour Moldova as well as the Balkan countries to "see us as
a gate through which they can get to Brussels", said the Romanian Foreign
Minister.
(C)
Euobserver.com
Vali
EuroAtlantic Club: http://www.europe.org.ro/euroatlantic_club/
***
Birou de traduceri autorizate. Oana Gheorghiu - tel/fax: 252.8681 / [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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