Republic of Romania: application for accession to the European Union

 The committee adopted the own-initiative report by Pierre MOSCOVICI (PES, FR) on Romania 's application to become a member of the EU. The report praised the  reforms introduced in Romania and further commitments made by the newly installed government, such as on increasing freedom of the press, improvements in schools and participation in the 'Decade of Roma Inclusion', but it also drew attention to serious shortcomings which needed to be addressed. These included the need for effective implementation of administrative and judicial reforms, the need to continue the fight against corruption, especially at a high level, the eradication of all violence and discrimination against minority groups, improving the treatment of psychiatric patients, more efficient border controls, correct application of state aid laws and strengthening environmental protection.

MEPs said that they would closely monitor Romania 's accession process and called on the Commission to keep Parliament regularly informed of the extent to which the Romanian authorities honoured their commitments. They also pointed out that, if the safeguard clauses were to be invoked, such action should not be seen as a sanction, bur rather as a mechanism intended to give Romania the time required to prepare for joining the internal market "without shocks either for itself or for Community policies".

Lastly, the report called on the Romanian authorities and NGOs to launch a public  information campaign on the advantages and obligations arising from accession. The Commission was also urged to set aside appropriate funding for information campaigns in order to improve public understanding of the implications of Romania 's accession.