Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-12-14-Speech-3-175"
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"en.20051214.15.3-175"2
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"Mr President, it is good that the ground rules for the accession process should be clear and, in my view, they are indeed so. There is no doubt whatsoever that both Romania and Bulgaria understand what is required of them. During my visits to these two countries and my conversations with the people there, I have seen this for myself. Everyone in Romania and Bulgaria knows that we are concerned about the remaining areas in which improvements are required. Everyone knows perfectly well that we are watching them and monitoring every stage of development. However, no one with whom I have spoken, from government representatives to people on the café terraces, are as strongly convinced that we really want to see them join as early as 2007, despite our saying that we do and despite our saying so in our resolutions and reports. Why is this the case?
Obviously, we are sending extremely clear signals about the negative things – problems, difficulties and requirements – but less clear signals of encouragement and appreciation and, above all, of the sincerity with which we shall welcome them. What I mean is that it is good that we should carefully monitor the reforms that are implemented and the ways in which both Romania and Bulgaria fulfil the requirements for membership. Given the repeated references in this Chamber to protection clauses, postponement of the accession, absorption ability and the debate on the EU’s external borders, I am afraid that the signal we are sending not only to Romania and Bulgaria but to the whole region is that Europe has been transformed into a colder place that is more closed in on itself.
That is not the Europe I know. It is not the Europe I fight and work for and defend. I believe that all the reforms recently implemented by Romania and Bulgaria are testament to these countries’ efforts and to the fact that they give high priority to their membership. Romania’s and Bulgaria’s accession to the EU will be a strong catalyst and a factor that will increase security throughout the region. I am convinced that, with our help, these countries can successfully accede to EU membership no later than in January 2007. I am also convinced that this is not possible without our help and support and without a positive perspective."@en1
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