MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
12.6.2006
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne and Alexander Lambsdorff
on behalf of the ALDE Group
on the accession of Bulgaria and Romania
B6‑0345/2006
European Parliament resolution on the accession of Bulgaria and Romania
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its earlier resolutions and reports on the accession of Bulgaria and Romania, in particular its resolutions of 15 December 2005,
– having regard to the Treaty of Accession to the European Union ratified by the European Parliament on 25 April 2005,
– having regard to the monitoring reports on the state of preparedness for EU membership of Bulgaria and Romania presented on 16 May 2006 by the European Commission,
– having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas the Commission reports note significant progress by the two countries in adopting and implementing the acquis and in fulfilling the commitments made during the negotiations since the last Commission's last report,
B. whereas progress in a limited number of areas has still not been completely satisfactory and Bulgaria and Romania must take immediate steps to rectify and progress as regards these shortcomings in order to join the European Union on 1 January 2007,
C. whereas the Commission is going to present additional monitoring reports on the state of preparedness for EU membership of Bulgaria and Romania that should be published no later than early October 2006,
D. whereas the European Parliament has repeatedly expressed its clear wish to see Romania and Bulgaria join the Union on 1 January 2007, in so far as the conditions laid down in the Treaty of Accession are fulfilled by each of those two countries,
1. Takes note of the reports by the European Commission on the state of preparedness of Bulgaria and Romania for their accession to the European Union and welcomes the findings that both countries are judged able to join the European Union on 1 January 2007;
2. Congratulates both countries on the continued and significant progress made and underlines that they must make further efforts to rectify the shortcomings identified by the Commission, in particular those linked to the judiciary and the fight against corruption and organised crime, and to make sure that full administrative capacity is put in place, so that both countries can fully benefit from EU membership; also gives its full support for the efforts to end discrimination of and improve the social situation for the Roma population in the two countries;
3. Calls on the Commission to clearly identify which further concrete steps must be taken by the two countries in order to realise their aspiration of EU membership from 1 January 2007 and to give its full support to the respective governments and authorities in the final preparations for membership;
4. Calls on the Commission to present its monitoring report as early as possible in autumn 2006; underlines that, considering the progress already made, only very serious failings in meeting the obligations of membership may have an impact on the date of accession;
5. Expresses its full support for the adequate implementation of the action plans that the Bulgarian and Romanian authorities have adopted to address the remaining shortcomings; is convinced that their commitment will ensure accession on 1 January 2007, but underlines that reforms must continue after accession;
6. Calls on all political forces in Bulgaria and Romania to concentrate their activities on completing the conditions for EU membership by 1 January 2007 and to create the necessary political stability to achieve this objective;
7. Calls on all Member States that have not already ratified the Accession Treaty to do so as soon as possible, regardless of the timing of the publication of the Commission monitoring report;
8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the governments and parliaments of Bulgaria and Romania.