19.05.08: Bulgaria and Romania face EU sanctions over corruption - 0 views
www.euractiv.com/...article-172451
bulgaria corruption enlargement enlargementpolicy_eu eu-policy_memberstates romania
shared by Prof. Dr Wolfgang Schumann on 19 May 08
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European Commission officials are to visit Sofia and Bucharest this week to assess judicial reforms, EurActiv Romania reports. The visit takes place amid mounting pressure in Brussels to invoke so-called "safeguard clauses" against the two countries, which could result in EU funds being slashed.
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Background: Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU in January 2007 under precise conditions. There are three areas where safeguard measures can be invoked under Bulgaria and Romania's EU Accession Treaties: economic, internal market and judicial reforms. The safeguard clause can be invoked up to three years after accession and could result for example in food export bans or cuts to EU funds in areas such as agriculture and "structural" policies.
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Experts from the European Commission will visit Sofia and Bucharest in the week of 19-23 May to assess the justice reforms, EurActiv.ro writes. According to reports in the Romanian press, the mission takes place at a time when some officials in Brussels are wondering whether taking the two countries onboard as early as January 2007 was "a mistake" and are applying pressure to activate the safeguard clause on justice. Both countries could lose EU funds or have their national court decisions annulled if a safeguard clause is triggered against them.
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Links Press articles Radio Free Europe: EU: Brussels Putting Romania, Bulgaria Under The Microscope Reuters: In Romania, high-level corruption resists reform TheDiplomat.ro In Romania, high-level corruption resists reform Reuters: EU's limited power to pressure newcomers Chritian Science Monitor: In Romania, high-level corruption resists reform