At risk of stress?

Stress from enlargement: the President of the Commission, JOSÉ MANUEL BARROSO , does not exactly use these words, but lets it be understood that the European Union might not support the stress of other enlargements of its own frontiers until there is an overall revision of the objectives, policies and institutions of the EU. THE DOORS FOR THE TIME BEING ARE CLOSING. Two important signals arrived last week. The Executive confirmed the date of accession of Romania and Bulgaria, 1st January 2007; and the Parliament in Strasbourg adopted by a large majority a document that confirms the many question marks that now hang over Turkey’s bid for EU membership. On that occasion Barroso stressed that the EU’s “capacity of absorption” must be carefully evaluated before giving the go ahead to other accessions after those of Bucharest and Sofia: as if to say that for Ankara, and also for Croatia and for other Balkan countries, there’s no more room in the “common home” for the time being. TWO COUNTRIES UNDER OBSERVATION. In truth the doubts remain substantial even for Romania and Bulgaria. At the same time as the date of their “marriage” with the EU was fixed, the Commission published a “package of rigorous measures of accompaniment that need to be adopted in the few sectors in which further reforms are needed”. These sectors are far from negligible: Bulgaria is contested for an inefficient and corrupt political and judicial system; an objection that is also in part levelled against Romania, which moreover does not yet provide sufficient protection of essential liberties and the rights of minorities (Rom). Commenting on the Commission’s decision, Barroso declared: “I congratulate the citizens and leaders of Bulgaria and Romania for this fundamental transformation”. The accession “of these two countries according to the timetable laid down, together with the measures of accompaniment we have proposed, will permit the fifth enlargement of the Union to be completed: an enlargement that has consolidated peace and increased prosperity in Europe”. JUSTICE AND RIGOUR. The objections raised about Romania and Bulgaria also include the fight against organized crime, the reform of the public administration and the capacity of the two States to integrate EU law into their own systems. Many doubts are also raised in the economic field, in the protection of public health and in respect for the future management of Community funds that from January on will pour in large quantities into these two countries to boost national agriculture and the realization of infrastructures. According to Commissioner for Enlargement, OLLI REHN , “our approach is fair and rigorous. It’s fair, because we have acknowledged the progress made and recognise the just merits of those who deserve them. It’s rigorous, because we have put in place the necessary mechanisms to support Bulgaria and Romania on the road of reforms, in the interest of these two countries and of the European Union as a whole”. HALF A BILLION CITIZENS. The accession of Bulgaria and Romania next January must still be ratified in four member states (Belgium, Denmark, Germany and France), though all of them have given assurances that they will make the necessary provision in good time. Bucharest and Sofia will bring a further 30 million citizens into the Community, boosting the total population of the EU to almost half a billion people. A balanced comment on the entry of the two nations into the EU has come from RENÉ VAN DER LINDEN , President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the international organization of which Romania and Bulgaria are already members. “In spite of the fact that our experience shows that EU member or candidate countries generally make rapid progress in terms of democracy and human rights – notes Van der Linden -, their membership of the EU does not exonerate them from the obligations they have assumed towards the Council of Europe”, which will continue to monitor “the implementation of the reforms and respect for fundamental liberties”. ANKARA MORE DISTANT. The plenary session of the European Parliament, held on 26-29 September, for its part underlined the many problems that still need to be solved on the future membership of Turkey. The EP adopted the report of Dutch MEP CAMIEL EURLINGS , which severely criticises “the slowdown of reforms” in the Anatolian country. Particular concerns are raised by “restrictions on freedom of worship and of expression” and by the “denial of rights to women”. During the debate various observations and criticisms were made about Turkey, including its economy and state administration. The report drawn up by Eurlings does however point out one positive note, in affirming that “MEPs hope the Pope’s journey to Turkey, planned for November, may contribute to inter-religious and intercultural dialogue”.