Rasmussen tells Commission: You must be more precise

16 May 2006

Commenting on the European Commission's recommendations on Romanian and Bulgarian accession, the President of the Party of European Socialists Poul Nyrup Rasmussen this afternoon told Commissioner Rehn at the European Parliament in Strasbourg
 
"Commissioner Rehn, you must be more precise. What I hear is that our goal is to get both countries on board on 1st January 2007. What I hear is that we want further progress. What I lack is clarity from the Commission as to what they expect these countries to do."
 
"I cannot see any sincere reason not to let them in from 1st January 2007."
 
"The question is how to promote further progress and reform in these two countries? How can you expect to obtain real progress in justice and home affairs within the short period of three and a half months until your next report? We must be serious. I recommend that the Commission make a scoreboard where you say exactly what you want Romania and Bulgaria to do. The Commission needs to be precise and complete in its demands so that we avoid delays due to misunderstandings."
 
"I hope that in June the EU Summit will give a clear green light for both countries to join the EU on January 1 2007."       
 
More information - Julian Scola, PES Press Officer, , mobile 00 32 486 117 394