The European Parliament,

–   having regard to its earlier resolutions on the accession of Bulgaria and Romania, in particular its resolutions of 15 December 2005(1),

–   having regard to the Treaty of Accession to the European Union signed by Bulgaria and Romania on 25 April 2005,

–   having regard to the Monitoring Report on the state of preparedness for EU membership of Bulgaria and Romania presented by the Commission on 16 May 2006 (COM(2006)0214),

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

A.   whereas it is the common and declared objective of the EU for the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to take place on 1 January 2007,

B.   whereas the Commission notes that significant improvements have been achieved by Bulgaria and Romania since its last report,

C.   whereas progress in a limited number of areas has still not been completely satisfactory, and whereas Bulgaria and Romania must take immediate steps to make good these shortcomings in order to join the Union on 1 January 2007,

D.   whereas the Commission will present further monitoring reports on Bulgaria's and Romania's state of preparedness for EU membership not later than at the beginning of October 2006,

E.   whereas it has consistently expressed its support for the timely accession of Bulgaria and Romania,

F.   whereas there are provisions in the Treaty of Accession for safeguard and monitoring measures which may, if necessary, be applied in the years immediately after accession, obviating any need for a delay in actual accession,

G.   whereas agreement was reached through an exchange of letters between the President of the European Parliament and the President of the Commission on the full involvement of the European Parliament in any consideration of activation of one of the safeguard clauses in the Treaty of Accession,

1.  Has noted with great interest the reports by the Commission on the state of preparedness of Bulgaria and Romania for their accession to the European Union and pays tribute to the great care and seriousness with which the Commission has monitored the preparatory efforts for and the implementing measures taken by both countries in order to meet the conditions for their entering the European Union by 1 January 2007;

2.  Notes with satisfaction that the Commission maintains the deadline for both countries to enter the European Union by 1 January 2007 on condition that the necessary measures are taken to resolve the outstanding problems, and accepts the recommendations made by the Commission with regard to the further procedure for taking a final decision on the date of accession of Bulgaria and Romania;

3.  Calls on the European Council, at its meeting of 15 and16 June 2006, to maintain its commitment to Bulgaria and Romania joining the EU on 1 January 2007 if they are ready; at the same time, welcomes the specialist assistance that has been provided by Member States, particularly in the field of justice and policing, and urges reinforcement of this assistance in the coming months;

4.  Stresses that the Bulgarian and Romanian Governments must be aware of the need to make full use of the remaining months and produce concrete results towards meeting the requirements for achieving full EU membership by 1 January 2007;

5.  Notes with satisfaction the serious efforts and considerable progress made by Bulgaria and Romania in past months to meet the EU's political and economic criteria and to gradually adopt and implement the acquis communautaire;

6.  Emphasises the need for both countries to continue to consolidate the ongoing reform of their justice systems, by further enhancing the transparency, efficiency and impartiality of the judiciary, and to demonstrate further substantive results in the fight against corruption, with special emphasis on the fight against organised crime in the case of Bulgaria; stresses the utmost importance of taking all the measures required to combat the trafficking of human beings and to substantially enhance the degree of social inclusion of Roma communities, especially with regard to housing, health care, education and employment;

7.  Is aware that a decision on the accession of each country will be taken on its own merits and in the light of each country's achievements, but would welcome it if, on the basis of the progress achieved so far by both countries and their activities geared to achieving further progress in the next few months, Bulgaria and Romania could enter the European Union together and on the same date;

8.  Calls on all political forces in Bulgaria and Romania to concentrate their activities on meeting the conditions for EU membership by 1 January 2007 and to maintain the political commitment needed to achieve this objective;

9.  Calls on the Commission, as a matter of urgency, to provide Bulgaria and Romania with the clearest possible guidance on the outcomes that are expected in order to meet its concerns, to ensure that maximum Community resources are targeted on these areas in order to help produce tangible improvements, and, in cooperation with the Bulgarian and Romanian authorities, to define the nature of and procedures for any possible post-accession monitoring measures and the circumstances under which they might be necessary;

10.  Asks the Member States to complete the ratification process for the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU on schedule;

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

(1) Texts Adopted, P6_TA(2005)0530 and P6_TA(2005)0531.