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EU to approve Balkan candidates EU to approve Balkan candidates
(about 4 hours later)
Bulgaria and Romania are set to get the green light to join the EU on Tuesday, but under tougher conditions than any country has faced in the past. Bulgaria and Romania are set to get the green light to join the EU later, but under tougher conditions than any country has faced in the past.
The European Commission is to announce that they can join next January, rather than the alternative date of 2008.The European Commission is to announce that they can join next January, rather than the alternative date of 2008.
But it will say that both countries are to be closely monitored in the areas of corruption and judicial reform.But it will say that both countries are to be closely monitored in the areas of corruption and judicial reform.
Both also face food export bans, and hefty cuts to EU funding if they do not set up payment agencies for farm aid.Both also face food export bans, and hefty cuts to EU funding if they do not set up payment agencies for farm aid.
The commission's report, seen by the BBC, should finally confirm that after seven years of talks, Bulgaria and Romania are able to take on the rights and obligations of EU membership next January.The commission's report, seen by the BBC, should finally confirm that after seven years of talks, Bulgaria and Romania are able to take on the rights and obligations of EU membership next January.
Corruption fightCorruption fight
But concerns remain, mainly about Bulgaria.But concerns remain, mainly about Bulgaria.
Unless it cracks down on organised crime, legal decisions taken by its courts could be disregarded in the rest of Europe.Unless it cracks down on organised crime, legal decisions taken by its courts could be disregarded in the rest of Europe.
Both countries will have to report every six months on progress in fighting corruption.Both countries will have to report every six months on progress in fighting corruption.
By March, they also need to set up agencies to handle millions of euros worth of EU farm aid, or risk losing a quarter of the cash.By March, they also need to set up agencies to handle millions of euros worth of EU farm aid, or risk losing a quarter of the cash.
Both will face food export bans due to outbreaks of animal diseases like swine fever, while Bulgarian planes could be banned from flying into EU airspace until the country improves its air safety standards.Both will face food export bans due to outbreaks of animal diseases like swine fever, while Bulgarian planes could be banned from flying into EU airspace until the country improves its air safety standards.
WarningWarning
An EU official said the commission did not want to punish Bulgaria and Romania, but to make them work harder to carry out reforms.An EU official said the commission did not want to punish Bulgaria and Romania, but to make them work harder to carry out reforms.
However, this unprecedented scrutiny is also meant as a reassurance to EU voters, only half of whom support further expansion, and as a warning to Turkey and the Balkan nations waiting in line.However, this unprecedented scrutiny is also meant as a reassurance to EU voters, only half of whom support further expansion, and as a warning to Turkey and the Balkan nations waiting in line.
The President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, has already said the EU cannot go on enlarging until it decides what to do with its stalled constitution.The President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, has already said the EU cannot go on enlarging until it decides what to do with its stalled constitution.
The rules of the European club were devised for 27 members at most.The rules of the European club were devised for 27 members at most.
That limit will be reached on January 1, when Bulgaria and Romania complete the EU's expansion into what was once the communist bloc. That limit will be reached on 1 January, when Bulgaria and Romania complete the EU's expansion into what was once the communist bloc.