BULGARIA: Bulgaria warned the EU not to postpone its accession to the union yesterday as Brussels signalled it would delay a final decision on enlargement until the autumn.
Both Bulgaria and Romania had been expecting a decision by the European Commission next week on whether they are ready to join the EU on January 1st, 2007.
But commission sources said that enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn is preparing to delay a final recommendation on when the states should join until the autumn.
EU sources said putting off the decision until the autumn would give more time to pressure both states, and particularly Bulgaria, to undertake further reforms.
The commission has become increasingly concerned over the last year about Bulgaria's failure to bring about adequate reform of its judiciary and the strength of organised crime in the state.
Since 2001, between 100 and 150 people have been killed by contract killers without anyone being brought to justice and sentenced to a prison term. Last month, a bomb destroyed an apartment belonging to a journalist investigating organised crime, again reflecting the Mafia's influence in Bulgaria.
Reacting to speculation that Bulgaria may face a delay to its EU membership due to a lack of reform, Bulgarian prime minister Sergei Stanishev said the EU should not try to humiliate Bulgaria by delaying its accession until 2008 (the latest possible date under the terms of its accession treaty with the EU). This would only strengthen anti-EU and nationalist forces in Bulgaria and disappoint the public, he said.
"Let us have the joy of membership of the union of the historical act, do not make it in the way that we feel second-class European citizens . . . Do not try to humiliate us," said Mr Stanishev, who said he was confident that Bulgaria would be ready to join the EU in 2007.
A postponement would be perceived as a negative. It would be a psychological rejection for the people, he added.
Mr Stanishev said Bulgaria's membership would also help boost the EU's influence on security matters in the Balkans. Bulgaria wanted to contribute to the EU as well as being a consumer, he added.
Mr Stanishev said a decision by the commission not to provide a date to Bulgaria and Romania for EU membership would also produce practical problems for both states.
He said Bulgaria was preparing work on a budget for EU funds in 2007 and not knowing when it was going to join until the autumn would make it difficult.
Under the EU accession treaties for both Romania and Bulgaria, both states have the opportunity to join the EU on January 1st, 2007. But if the commission feels that both countries have not made sufficient progress to reform their laws in line with EU practices, it can recommend postponing accession until January 2008 at the latest.
A decision based on the commission's recommendation was scheduled to be taken by EU leaders at the European Council in June. However, sources indicated yesterday that a special EU summit of leaders could be held in October to make the decision.