This afternoon Romania and Bulgaria are signing Accession Treaty to the European Union. Romanian President Traian Basescu and Bulgarian President Gheorghi Parvanov, as well as the two states' prime ministers Calin Popescu Tariceanu and Simeon de Saxa Coburg-Gotha, are to sign the document that fulfills efforts that have now lasted some years. Foreign affairs ministers from the EU are to attend the event. EU is to be represented by Luxembourg PM Jean-Claude Juncker, as Luxembourg is chair of the EU this term. Josep Borrell, President of the Parliament of Europe and Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, will also be present.
The elaboration of the Accession Treaty started in May 2004 and ended in January 2005. The Parliament of Europe consented to it in April 13. In April 20 it was also approved by COREPER and monday morning it will also get consent from the General Business Council and Foreign Affairs Council in the EU. After being signed by heads of state and Executive from the 25 EU members, as well as by the Romanian and Bulgarian officials, the Accession Treaty is to become valid after it has been ratified by the 27 states and the Parliament of Europe.
Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mihai-Razvan Ungureanu stated before the due treaty signing that this event was " the fulfillment of all efforts taken by the entire Romanian society in the last 25 years, meant to bring Romania back to it true, European destiny." The head of Romanian diplomacy also mentioned: " By signing the Accession Treaty, Romania will join the set of values it truly belongs to: respect for fundamental rights and freedom. Democracy, state of law, market economy and the European social pattern."
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Copyright © Consulate General of Romania 2004
