P6_TA(2005)0302

The accession process of Bulgaria and Romania

European Parliament resolution on the accession process of Bulgaria and Romania

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the accession treaty for Bulgaria and Romania signed on 25 April 2005,

- having regard to the progress achieved by Bulgaria and Romania which made it possible to conclude the accession negotiations, but also to the need to continue the efforts to remedy the shortcomings identified in the Commission's 2004 progress report and in Parliament's most recent resolutions both before and after signature of the accession treaty,

- having regard to the exchange of letters between the President of Parliament and the President of the Commission on the full involvement of Parliament in any decision to apply any of the safeguard clauses in the accession treaty,

- having regard to the fact that the "acquis" continues to develop and be modified in the run-up to the Bulgarian and Romanian accession to the European Union, scheduled for 1 January 2007, or 1 January 2008 should the safeguard clauses in the accession treaty be invoked,

- having regard to the fact that the Council and Commission are allowing observers from Bulgaria and Romania to participate in parts of their respective internal proceedings, as a minimum safeguard to enable the two countries to at least be aware of legislative developments affecting them,

- having regard to Rule 103(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

1. Stresses once again that it will continue to follow closely the process which will lead to Bulgaria's and Romania's accession, and calls on the Commission to keep it regularly informed of the extent to which the Bulgarian and Romanian authorities honour the commitments made in the accession treaty; stresses that its approval of the accession treaties was given on condition that the Council and Commission fully involve Parliament in decision-making in the event of the safeguard clauses in the accession treaty being used in the context of Bulgaria's and Romania's accession;

2. Emphasises that the European Parliament welcomed parliamentary observers from the ten new Member States for the whole period from the signing of the accession treaty to their actual and formal accession to the Union;

3. Points out that, although the presence of the observers was limited and restricted in terms of real influence, this arrangement made it possible for democratically elected parliamentarians from the accession countries not only to familiarise themselves with European Parliament proceedings, but also to closely follow the actual adoption of Community legislation;

4. Stresses that the arrival of the observers from the Bulgarian and Romanian Parliaments, as decided by the Conference of Presidents, may contribute to the further preparation of a successful accession to the European Union, and in particular to ensuring that the commitments made during the negotiations are being met;

5. Endorses, therefore, the recent decision by the Conference of Presidents, taken on 9 June 2005, to invite the Parliaments of Bulgaria and Romania to nominate parliamentary observers and to welcome them from 26 September 2005 until the formal accession of their respective countries;

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, and the Governments and Parliaments of Bulgaria and Romania.

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