Romanians hail signing of accession treaty with EU

(Initially published in http://www.romania-report.ro/ - April 26, 2005)

BUCHAREST, April 26 – On Monday, Romania signed its accession treaty with the European Union (EU), which was hailed by the Romanians as a "great event" in the country's history.

To the strains of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy", the EU's anthem, Romania and Bulgaria leaders signed the accord at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, which holds the bloc's rotating presidency.

"Without doubt, this event is one of the historic milestones for our country," said Bulgarian Prime Minister Simeon Saxe Coburg "EU membership will represent the fulfillment of a dream more than half a century old. (...)

I can assure you that we will spare no effort in fulfilling our commitments," Romanian President Traian Basescu said, after the signing in the Neumuenster abbey in the centre of Luxembourg.

Adrian Nastase, (opposition) leader of the Chamber of Deputies, hailed Romania's signing the accession treaty with the EU as an "historic moment" which will bring a better-off life for the Romanians and give the country a bigger role in the EU bloc.

According to Romanian press reports, even if Romanians have mixed feelings about the prospect of the country's joining the EU, a large majority believed the benefits will outweigh the disadvantages it will bring about.

EU entry will accelerate Romania's social and economic reforms. The prosperous EU economy and advanced technologies will accelerate Romania's economic development, said the media. EU membership will also irrevocably lock Romania into the bloc's zone of prosperity and provide billions of euros in aid to repair its dilapidated roads, clean up the environment and upgrade its outdated industries.

However, the media warned that EU entry will also bring about disadvantages such as foreign products' flooding the Romanian market and national industries' shrinkage in face of much more powerful foreign competitors. Under the accession treaty, Romania will enter the EU on Jan. 1, 2007, provided it carries out tough reforms to fight corruption, strengthen border controls, reinforce judicial and administrative systems and improve rules on state aid to industry.

EU commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso underlined the need for continued efforts even as he welcomed Romania and Bulgaria into "the European family" at Monday's ceremony. "But rest assured that we will also be working with you to overcome any difficulties as you make your final push between now and January 2007," he said.

Romania Report