Romania and Bulgaria celebrate joining EU

[Joanne98]

Romania and Bulgaria celebrate joining EU

The blue-and-gold EU flag fluttered across Bucharest and strobe lights flashed through the sky today as Romania prepared to celebrate the country's induction into the European Union.

In Sofia, organisers set up stages for a light-and-fireworks show and outdoor party on Battenberg Square that was expected to draw 40,000 revellers celebrating Bulgaria's New Year's Day entry to the EU.

Romania and Bulgaria bring 30 million people into the European Union on Monday, expanding the bloc's membership to 27 nations.

But the two ex-communist Balkan nations - hailing from one of the poorest corners of Europe - are joining under strict conditions and at a time when EU leaders are putting the brakes on further enlargement.

"Europe is adopting us like poor relatives or orphans, but I hope they will become fond of us because we are hardworking and inventive," said Ana Maria Zarnescu, 64, a retiree from the city of Cluj. "Not all of us trick and steal."

Both countries must report back to the EU every six months to show that they are making progress in reforms - or risk losing a chunk of economic aid.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breaking/story.asp?j=108981356&p=yx898y73x&n=108981827&x=

[dave_p]

1. West eats East... but didn't swallow

The EU's over-expanding. Romania's been a hopeless basket-case for decades, and Bulgaria last made headlines electing a government whose election pledges would have shamed the Monty Python team.

This isn't good news for anyone - whether developed EU countries worried about migration from the east or new members poorly-placed to safeguard local industry against more advanced competition. The EU waited 15 years for its first expansion. This is just getting ridiculous.

It'll probably turn out OK, but Europe needs to work out better mechanisms than admitting countries that can't usefully hope to meet the demands of EU membership any time soon.

[MasonJar]

2. It seems appropriate to me since this should be a great chance

for Romania and Bugaria to revitalize themselves after two generations of Communist rule. They are European and this enhances the claim.

[HannibalBarca]

3. All hail the rise

of the new European Superpower may she be blessed with thoughtful and non sociopathic leaders who operate at levels superior to that of a gorilla.