Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2004
57 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the planned date for the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10037/04]
View answerThe European Council in December 2003 emphasised the continuity and irreversibility of the ongoing enlargement process of which Bulgaria and Romania form an integral part. Over the past year, these countries have significantly taken forward their preparations for membership, which is reflected in the well-advanced state of their accession negotiations. To date, Bulgaria has closed 26 negotiation chapters and Romania has closed 22. The Union's objective is to conclude negotiations with both countries in 2004, sign the Accession Treaty in 2005 and that the two countries should accede in January 2007, if they are ready. Negotiations will be concluded on the same basis and principles applied to the ten acceding states.
The March session of the General Affairs and External Relations Council secured agreement among member states on an overall financial package for the accession of Bulgaria and Romania. Reaching agreement at this early stage represented an important step forward in the negotiations. The Commission will now prepare negotiating positions for the finance-related chapters, which are expected to be brought forward in the coming weeks. As Presidency, Ireland is endeavouring to advance negotiations as rapidly as possible, in line with the clear political mandate given by the December European Council.
