Romania and Bulgaria ‘on track’ to join EU

ROMANIA and Bulgaria are still on track to join the European Union on January 1, but must meet demands for outstanding reforms in problem areas, the European Commission said yesterday.

The countries’ progress will be evaluated again in early October, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said.

“The possibility of being ready in 2007 is doable, but it is for the two countries to deliver. At the same time, the European Union needs to deliver a clear signal that it stands ready to honour its commitments.”