Summary: February 28, 2005: Commissioner Olli Rehn to visit Romania (Brussels)
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The Commissioner for Enlargement, Olli Rehn, will start a two day visit to Bucharest on 28 February 2005. The visit comes at an important moment in the relations between the EU and Romania: following the conclusion of the accession negotiations and prior to the signature of the Accession Treaty on 25 April 2005. During his first official visit to the country as Commissioner for Enlargement he will be having discussions with the Romanian authorities concerning the commitments made during
the accession negotiations and their fulfilment between now and the day of Accession, scheduled for 1 January 2007.
Prior to his departure Olli Rehn said: "The conclusion of accession negotiations at the end of 2004 clearly signalled that Romania belongs to the EU family. Thus, if 2004 was the year of success with the conclusion of the accession negotiations, 2005 and 2006 will be the years of challenges for Romania. The conclusion of the negotiations and the signature of the Accession Treaty signify that agreement has been reached on the terms and conditions of Romania's accession to the EU. It does not
mean that preparations for membership have been completed. There is still a lot to do in order to meet the target date of 1 January 2007. The European Commission will thoroughly monitor the respect of the commitments made during the accession negotiations."
On the 28 February Olli Rehn will meet President Traian Basescu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mihai Razvan Ungureanu, Minister of Justice, Monica Macovei, Minister of Administration and Interior, Vasile Blaga, and the Minister of Finance, Ionut Popescu. He will also have talks with Adrian Nastase, President of the Chamber of Deputies as well as with Parliamentary group leaders and the Chairmen of Foreign Affairs and Integration Committees. He
will deliver a speech at the Academy of Economic studies.
On March 1 Commissioner Rehn will start his day with the Prime Minister, Calin Popescu-Tariceanu followed by a meeting with the Executive Committee for European Integration. Before Commissioner Rehn's departure for Brussels, a press conference is scheduled at the Hilton Hotel, Regina Maria room at around 13h00.
During his meetings he will seize the opportunity to recall the remaining challenges for 2005 and 2006 and the need to accelerate the preparations for accession, in particular the issues related to the reform of the judiciary, the fight against corruption and organised crime, effective border controls as well as in the areas of state aid, competition and environment. He will reiterate that the Commission is and will continue to give all possible assistance to Romania to meet its
objectives.
A substantial amount of financial assistance, overall €1 billion is available yearly until accession.
For further information see:
Enlargement Romania
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