Đelić promises "swift answers to EC questionnaire"

After Iceland joins the EU, Norwegian politicians will begin to consider EU membership as an option.
(Mircea, 24 November 2009 15:12)

After Iceland's EU accesion Norwegian politicians will start thinking if they should have smoked salmon or fermented trout for dinner.Another difficult question to be considered for them may be the choice of beer:Ringnes,Aass or Mack?

Mircia,

You clearly misunderstood my comments:

"The replies to these questions require quality and indepth information and this will take a serious amount of time."

As anyone who knows about the accession process is aware, neither Romania nor Bulgaria fulfilled the chapter on Justice and Home Affairs.

Both governments promised to to deal with crime, corruption, independence of the judiciary but have still failed to do so (adopted laws, but no effective implementation). They were let in on a promise. The Commissioner for Enlargement still has two very fat files on his desk full of reports on corruption and the like.

Bg & Ro still got an easy pass because of their friends. What's the point of joining the EU if the rules on such fundamental issues can be ignored for favorite countries? What a joke.

"If you Serbs think it is easy to join the EU, you are wrong."
Mircea

Thanks to Rumania it has become much more difficult to join the EU. I saw a program on Swedish television about the thousands of Romanian gypsies traveling all over Europe commiting violent crimes. Some italian politicians wanted to throw Romania out of the EU for its failure to stop gypsy gangs and for its lack of responsibility in trying to solve the situation of its poor gypsie minority. So, please, Mircea stop acting so arrogant and all knowing and take some responsibility for the fact that some countries will have a difficult time joining thanks to Romania.

http://gypsyjib.wetpaint.com/page/Romania's+Gypsy+Child+Thieves

Is Đelić on drugs? Speed? Has he ever been to Brussels? Speed has no relevance to how the Commission functions.

The replies to these questions require quality and indepth information and this will take a serious amount of time.

Of course none of this is true if you have friends in high places who will let you ignore parts of the acquis communautaire (not mentioning two countries who were allowed to join the EU without doing their homework).

With the SAA and visa free travel in place, Serbia will be in a good position for quite a while, especially as there is little else in the short term that the EU/the usual suspects can demand/threaten the Serbs with.

Đelić promises "swift answers to EC questionnaire"

The swiftest would be Recognize Kosovo.
You'll see how Serbia will join together with Iceland and before Croatia.
One can give birth in three months but incubator is a great help.

trout for dinner.Another difficult question to be considered for them may be the choice of beer:Ringnes,Aass or Mack?
(szemi, 24 November 2009 19:24)

And you forgot their awful aquavite that goes with their awful marinated hering and their cheese with worms....:) Actually tasty if you are already a bit drunk...

Iceland and Montenegro already received the EC questionnaire from Mr. Rehn and therefore they are ahead of Serbia.

Delic, Serbia will never catch up to Iceland.

Iceland will join the EU in 2012.

I hope that Norway will follow Iceland's example and apply for EU membership.

After Iceland joins the EU, Norwegian politicians will begin to consider EU membership as an option.

'With the SAA and visa free travel in place, Serbia will be in a good position for quite a while, ...'

A question (for Mircea, maybe?): the SAA has to be ratified by all 27 member-countries, but can individual countries that have already voted on it and ratified it begin to implement some of its provisions unilaterally? (Or maybe it would be "bilaterally," since I believe the Serbian parliament has already ratified it?) Such questions don't receive much attention in the US papers.

Not enough reforms or real action:

http://blogs.ft.com/brusselsblog/tag/croatia/

"The lesson some countries drew from the entry of Bulgaria and Romania in 2007 was that the EU had made a mistake in letting them join before they had met EU standards on tackling corruption and organised crime and on strengthening their judicial systems. These problems are so entrenched that EU foreign ministers drew attention to them yet again on Monday at a meeting in Brussels.

While praising evidence of modest progress in both countries, the ministers said: "The positive changes remain fragmented and have not yet produced practical results for Romanian citizens… The Council stresses* the need for more substantial results in investigating, prosecuting and judging cases of high-level corruption and organised crime in order to secure lasting change in Bulgaria."
**
*14/09/2009

"Council conclusions on theMechanism on Cooperation andVerification for Bulgaria andRomania...

...On the reform of the administrative and judicial system, the Council notes that Romania has taken a
number of welcome steps and established a new momentum. Romania has adopted new Criminal
and Civil Codes and the positive track record of the prosecution is starting to be complemented by
action of the judiciary. However, the positive changes remain fragmented and have not yet
produced practical results for Romanian citizens. In order for Romania to be able to demonstrate
sustained progress, a broad political consensus has to be forged to allow the judicial system to work
efficiently and independently, and to strengthen the fight against corruption. This will enable
Romania to achieve results which are more convincing and more firmly rooted, and demonstrate
that the judicial system can function effectively in all areas, in the interest of the Romanian people....

...Recalling that the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism has now entered its third year, the
Council notes that it is an appropriate tool, and that it will remain in place pending the results
expected in this framework. In this context, the Council recalls that the Mechanism underpins
Bulgaria's and Romania's efforts to fully implement EU policies. The Council will continue to pay
careful attention to developments in this area."
***
***

http://www.eumap.org/topics/corruption

"With the accession of the first eight CEE countries, the European Union has now admitted a number of countries with persistent and serious problems of corruption. However, now that Commission evaluations of these countries, based on the Copenhagen criteria, have ended, the authority and bargaining power of the EU vis-à-vis these countries has been lost, despite the fact that problems of corruption remain serious in most of these countries. The issue of a lack of a clear set of accession criteria relating to corruption continues to remain important in the case of Bulgaria and Romania – both aiming to accede to the EU in 2007 – as both countries appear to suffer from severe problems of corruption. It will also remain of relevance to countries that are at an earlier stage of talks with the EU, but are expected to join eventually, such as the countries of South Eastern Europe (SEE)."
***

http://www.google.com/url?url=http://docs.google.com/viewer%3Fa%3Dv%26q%3Dcache:I6wwI9UnNWcJ:b2b.bia-bg.com/files/UNICE%252520Romania%252520position_2005.pdf%2Bromania%252Bcorruption%252Bacquis%2Bcommunautaire%26hl%3Den%26sig%3DAHIEtbSYTa97M-nvUumKmRynq9dYbJ35Yg&rct=j&ei=NVkMS7uvEI_-4AaUuZyEBA&sa=X&oi=gview&resnum=3&ct=other&ved=0CBMQxQEwAg&q=romania%2Bcorruption%2Bacquis+communautaire&usg=AFQjCNGdIT8oF4SHMi0OKFlrTeAptBPFQw
However it appears that, although Romania is mostly on track in transposing the acquis communautaire,
its implementation at national level and above all at local level (great difficulties in managing
decentralisation of decisions) remains problematic. National and local administrative capacities are weak
in terms of both numbers and academic training. The inherent dysfunctions are accentuated by poor
vertical and lateral coordination between all the administrative bodies concerned. In addition, Romanian
administrations remain highly corrupt.... Vested interests prevent companies from being treated equally
under the law. This could range from hidden subsidies to well connected companies, to favourable
treatment and even lack of prosecution for illegal activity.

We also want to underline that Romania’s accession treaty contains a “special” safeguard clause
allowing its accession to be deferred by a year until January 2008, if decided by qualified majority of
Member States at the end of 2006. The safeguard clause will be applied if the acquis, notably in the
areas of state aid, combating corruption and organised crime, is not sufficiently implemented."
****

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1195&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN

"More efforts needed by Bulgaria and Romania to tackle judicial reform and corruption
The Commission has today approved a series of reports assessing the progress in Bulgaria and Romania of judicial reform and the fight against corruption under the Co-operation and Verification mechanisms set up when both countries joined the EU last year. The Commission has also adopted a separate report on the management of EU funds in Bulgaria. These reports assess the progress and shortcomings that exist in Bulgaria and Romania on the commitments made at the time of accession. The Commission concludes that genuine efforts and some progress have been made, mainly in terms of judicial reform but much more needs to be done by both countries to fight high level corruption and in Bulgaria on organised crime. The reports highlight the need for sustained political commitment and implementation on the ground if the benchmarks set at the time of accession are to be met in full. The reports put forward a series of concrete follow up measures. Progress in meeting the benchmarks and in dispelling doubts about the two countries ability to deal with corruption will allow their citizens to reap the full benefits of EU membership and enhance their confidence in the rule of law. In the case of Bulgaria, the Commission has taken a formal decision to suspend certain EU funds until the Bulgarian authorities are able to demonstrate that sound financial management structures are in place and operating effectively...."
***

http://blogs.ft.com/brusselsblog/2009/02/romanias-anti-corruption-efforts-slow-down-or-go-backwards/

"Romania's anti-corruption efforts slow down - or go backwards...

...The assessment of Romania was noticeably harsher. “The pace of progress noted in the Commission’s report of July 2008 has not been maintained… Some investigations of high-level cases remain blocked by the Romanian parliament… The capacity of the judicial system in Romania is still weak… It is important that the Romanian authorities regain momentum on judicial reform and the fight against corruption, so as to reverse certain backward movements of recent months.”

The corridors of power in Brussels still echo to the mutterings of policymakers who think Bulgaria and Romania, which became EU members in January 2007, were admitted too soon into the bloc. Once a country joins, so the argument goes, its fellow member-states and the EU institutions lose much of their leverage to make that new entrant behave better. True, but one could perhaps make the case that Bulgaria’s recent improvement - if that’s what it really is - owes something to the European Commission’s decision last year to withdraw or suspend EU funds worth several hundred million euros.

Overall, though, it is difficult to disagree with the latest verdict from Transparency International, the anti-corruption watchdog: “Since 2007, some anti-corruption measures have been launched by both countries, but results are far from satisfactory since these initiatives are limited to the EU’s minimal mandatory requirements and do not address the core corruption problems faced by Bulgaria and Romania.”"
****

http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSL23102522720080723

"UPDATE 3-EU slams Bulgaria on corruption, suspends funds...

...BRUSSELS, July 23 (Reuters) - The European Commission issued a scathing indictment of corruption in Bulgaria on Wednesday, suspending aid worth hundreds of millions of euros (dollars) and barring two key payments agencies from receiving EU funds.

A report on the management of European Union funds by the latest and poorest EU member said the fight against high-level corruption and organised crime was not producing results and the Commission had to act to protect taxpayers' money.

"Therefore, the Commission has taken the decision today to formalise this suspension (of aid) and withdraw the accreditation for two government agencies in charge of managing these pre-accession funds," chief Commission spokesman Johannes Laitenberger told a news conference..."
***

http://eulaw.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/bulgaria-romania-and-greece-most-corrupt-in-the-eu/

"Bulgaria, Romania and Greece Most Corrupt in the EU
November 17, 2009

Bulgaria, Romania and Greece were at the bottom of the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 2009 for the European Union..."
***

http://english.bacauexpres.ro/2009/10/20/romania-lost-169-million-euro-from-the-eu-funds-between-2007-2009-actmedia.html

Romania lost 169 million euro from the EU funds between 2007 – 2009 – ACTmedia

20 October 2009 -

MRT online Romania lost 169 million euro from the EU funds between 2007 – 2009 ACTmedia Romania lost European funds worth 169 million euro from a total of three billion euro, between January 2007 – and July 2009, according to an official report … BRIDGETON MAN IN BULGARIA Vineland Daily Journal EU funds still vulnerable to fraud in Bulgaria EUobserver.com New Bases in Bulgaria, Romania Cost US over USD 100 M"
***

http://www.eumap.org/library/static/libr3/f/k/r/p06s04-wogn.html

"Frustrations mount over Bulgaria – the most violent, corrupt, and poorest of EU members. Aid is being withheld as reform promises are made (and broken). Can it be fixed?...

...he "double standard" defense, though, wasn't enough to deter a stinging financial slap delivered last month by a European Commission angry after millions of euros in development assistance had been siphoned off and a string of high-profile corruption and murder investigations resulted in no convictions.

Bulgaria's case was putting the credibility of EU enlargement at stake: Brussels needed to send a message to those arguing against further expansion and to candidates banging on the door, including Croatia, Serbia, Albania, and Turkey. Just last month, EU officials warned Croatia that its failure to crack down on organized crime and corruption jeopardizes its chance to join the EU next year....


...Romania and Bulgaria, meanwhile, started at a lower level of development and reforms were slowed by foot dragging, experts say.

As the economy worsened here, so, too, did corruption, says John Heck, who runs an EU-funded, anticorruption project in Sofia. The problems are ingrained deeply into modern Bulgarian society, he says, "Integrity – if you look in the Bulgarian dictionary, you won't find the term."

Although critics argued that Romania and Bulgaria would be allowed into the EU too soon, strategic benefits won out. Many Bulgarians were also eager to join, so Brussels dangled a carrot and stick to pressure authorities into complying with EU laws and standards. Still, enforcement lagged and corruption continued.

When Bulgaria and Romania were finally admitted to the EU in January 2007, they became the first to enter with strings attached: They were given several months to clean up their legal systems and to develop methods of tracking EU funding. Promises were made, but deadlines were missed, prompting a growing litany of threats from Brussels...."

Aleks,

Romania began accession negotiations with the EU in 2000 and finished the negotiations in December 2004. In 2005 Romania signed the Accession Treaty. On 1 January 2007 Romania joined the EU.

Romania's accession process to the EU was long and difficult. It was not easy for Romania to become a member of the EU.

If you Serbs think it is easy to join the EU, you are wrong.

"Deputy Prime Minister Božidar Đelić said that Serbia will be the "fastest country" in answering the European Commission questionnaire."

Atta boy! Just don't cheat! Don' look at the someone else's answers. If you get caught, you will be kicked out of school.

Aleks,

Romania did not get an "easy pass" to the EU.

During the period 2000-2006 Romania undertook many reforms to prepare for EU Membership on 1 January 2007.

Iceland and Montenegro already received the EC questionnaire from Mr. Rehn and therefore they are ahead of Serbia.

Delic, Serbia will never catch up to Iceland.

Iceland will join the EU in 2012.

I hope that Norway will follow Iceland's example and apply for EU membership.

After Iceland joins the EU, Norwegian politicians will begin to consider EU membership as an option.

Aleks,

Romania began accession negotiations with the EU in 2000 and finished the negotiations in December 2004. In 2005 Romania signed the Accession Treaty. On 1 January 2007 Romania joined the EU.

Romania's accession process to the EU was long and difficult. It was not easy for Romania to become a member of the EU.

If you Serbs think it is easy to join the EU, you are wrong.

Aleks,

Romania did not get an "easy pass" to the EU.

During the period 2000-2006 Romania undertook many reforms to prepare for EU Membership on 1 January 2007.

Đelić promises "swift answers to EC questionnaire"

The swiftest would be Recognize Kosovo.
You'll see how Serbia will join together with Iceland and before Croatia.
One can give birth in three months but incubator is a great help.

"Deputy Prime Minister Božidar Đelić said that Serbia will be the "fastest country" in answering the European Commission questionnaire."

Atta boy! Just don't cheat! Don' look at the someone else's answers. If you get caught, you will be kicked out of school.

Mircia,

You clearly misunderstood my comments:

"The replies to these questions require quality and indepth information and this will take a serious amount of time."

As anyone who knows about the accession process is aware, neither Romania nor Bulgaria fulfilled the chapter on Justice and Home Affairs.

Both governments promised to to deal with crime, corruption, independence of the judiciary but have still failed to do so (adopted laws, but no effective implementation). They were let in on a promise. The Commissioner for Enlargement still has two very fat files on his desk full of reports on corruption and the like.

Bg & Ro still got an easy pass because of their friends. What's the point of joining the EU if the rules on such fundamental issues can be ignored for favorite countries? What a joke.

"If you Serbs think it is easy to join the EU, you are wrong."
Mircea

Thanks to Rumania it has become much more difficult to join the EU. I saw a program on Swedish television about the thousands of Romanian gypsies traveling all over Europe commiting violent crimes. Some italian politicians wanted to throw Romania out of the EU for its failure to stop gypsy gangs and for its lack of responsibility in trying to solve the situation of its poor gypsie minority. So, please, Mircea stop acting so arrogant and all knowing and take some responsibility for the fact that some countries will have a difficult time joining thanks to Romania.

http://gypsyjib.wetpaint.com/page/Romania's+Gypsy+Child+Thieves

'With the SAA and visa free travel in place, Serbia will be in a good position for quite a while, ...'

A question (for Mircea, maybe?): the SAA has to be ratified by all 27 member-countries, but can individual countries that have already voted on it and ratified it begin to implement some of its provisions unilaterally? (Or maybe it would be "bilaterally," since I believe the Serbian parliament has already ratified it?) Such questions don't receive much attention in the US papers.

After Iceland joins the EU, Norwegian politicians will begin to consider EU membership as an option.
(Mircea, 24 November 2009 15:12)

After Iceland's EU accesion Norwegian politicians will start thinking if they should have smoked salmon or fermented trout for dinner.Another difficult question to be considered for them may be the choice of beer:Ringnes,Aass or Mack?

Is Đelić on drugs? Speed? Has he ever been to Brussels? Speed has no relevance to how the Commission functions.

The replies to these questions require quality and indepth information and this will take a serious amount of time.

Of course none of this is true if you have friends in high places who will let you ignore parts of the acquis communautaire (not mentioning two countries who were allowed to join the EU without doing their homework).

With the SAA and visa free travel in place, Serbia will be in a good position for quite a while, especially as there is little else in the short term that the EU/the usual suspects can demand/threaten the Serbs with.

trout for dinner.Another difficult question to be considered for them may be the choice of beer:Ringnes,Aass or Mack?
(szemi, 24 November 2009 19:24)

And you forgot their awful aquavite that goes with their awful marinated hering and their cheese with worms....:) Actually tasty if you are already a bit drunk...

Not enough reforms or real action:

http://blogs.ft.com/brusselsblog/tag/croatia/

"The lesson some countries drew from the entry of Bulgaria and Romania in 2007 was that the EU had made a mistake in letting them join before they had met EU standards on tackling corruption and organised crime and on strengthening their judicial systems. These problems are so entrenched that EU foreign ministers drew attention to them yet again on Monday at a meeting in Brussels.

While praising evidence of modest progress in both countries, the ministers said: "The positive changes remain fragmented and have not yet produced practical results for Romanian citizens… The Council stresses* the need for more substantial results in investigating, prosecuting and judging cases of high-level corruption and organised crime in order to secure lasting change in Bulgaria."
**
*14/09/2009

"Council conclusions on theMechanism on Cooperation andVerification for Bulgaria andRomania...

...On the reform of the administrative and judicial system, the Council notes that Romania has taken a
number of welcome steps and established a new momentum. Romania has adopted new Criminal
and Civil Codes and the positive track record of the prosecution is starting to be complemented by
action of the judiciary. However, the positive changes remain fragmented and have not yet
produced practical results for Romanian citizens. In order for Romania to be able to demonstrate
sustained progress, a broad political consensus has to be forged to allow the judicial system to work
efficiently and independently, and to strengthen the fight against corruption. This will enable
Romania to achieve results which are more convincing and more firmly rooted, and demonstrate
that the judicial system can function effectively in all areas, in the interest of the Romanian people....

...Recalling that the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism has now entered its third year, the
Council notes that it is an appropriate tool, and that it will remain in place pending the results
expected in this framework. In this context, the Council recalls that the Mechanism underpins
Bulgaria's and Romania's efforts to fully implement EU policies. The Council will continue to pay
careful attention to developments in this area."
***
***

http://www.eumap.org/topics/corruption

"With the accession of the first eight CEE countries, the European Union has now admitted a number of countries with persistent and serious problems of corruption. However, now that Commission evaluations of these countries, based on the Copenhagen criteria, have ended, the authority and bargaining power of the EU vis-à-vis these countries has been lost, despite the fact that problems of corruption remain serious in most of these countries. The issue of a lack of a clear set of accession criteria relating to corruption continues to remain important in the case of Bulgaria and Romania – both aiming to accede to the EU in 2007 – as both countries appear to suffer from severe problems of corruption. It will also remain of relevance to countries that are at an earlier stage of talks with the EU, but are expected to join eventually, such as the countries of South Eastern Europe (SEE)."
***

http://www.google.com/url?url=http://docs.google.com/viewer%3Fa%3Dv%26q%3Dcache:I6wwI9UnNWcJ:b2b.bia-bg.com/files/UNICE%252520Romania%252520position_2005.pdf%2Bromania%252Bcorruption%252Bacquis%2Bcommunautaire%26hl%3Den%26sig%3DAHIEtbSYTa97M-nvUumKmRynq9dYbJ35Yg&rct=j&ei=NVkMS7uvEI_-4AaUuZyEBA&sa=X&oi=gview&resnum=3&ct=other&ved=0CBMQxQEwAg&q=romania%2Bcorruption%2Bacquis+communautaire&usg=AFQjCNGdIT8oF4SHMi0OKFlrTeAptBPFQw
However it appears that, although Romania is mostly on track in transposing the acquis communautaire,
its implementation at national level and above all at local level (great difficulties in managing
decentralisation of decisions) remains problematic. National and local administrative capacities are weak
in terms of both numbers and academic training. The inherent dysfunctions are accentuated by poor
vertical and lateral coordination between all the administrative bodies concerned. In addition, Romanian
administrations remain highly corrupt.... Vested interests prevent companies from being treated equally
under the law. This could range from hidden subsidies to well connected companies, to favourable
treatment and even lack of prosecution for illegal activity.

We also want to underline that Romania’s accession treaty contains a “special” safeguard clause
allowing its accession to be deferred by a year until January 2008, if decided by qualified majority of
Member States at the end of 2006. The safeguard clause will be applied if the acquis, notably in the
areas of state aid, combating corruption and organised crime, is not sufficiently implemented."
****

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1195&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN

"More efforts needed by Bulgaria and Romania to tackle judicial reform and corruption
The Commission has today approved a series of reports assessing the progress in Bulgaria and Romania of judicial reform and the fight against corruption under the Co-operation and Verification mechanisms set up when both countries joined the EU last year. The Commission has also adopted a separate report on the management of EU funds in Bulgaria. These reports assess the progress and shortcomings that exist in Bulgaria and Romania on the commitments made at the time of accession. The Commission concludes that genuine efforts and some progress have been made, mainly in terms of judicial reform but much more needs to be done by both countries to fight high level corruption and in Bulgaria on organised crime. The reports highlight the need for sustained political commitment and implementation on the ground if the benchmarks set at the time of accession are to be met in full. The reports put forward a series of concrete follow up measures. Progress in meeting the benchmarks and in dispelling doubts about the two countries ability to deal with corruption will allow their citizens to reap the full benefits of EU membership and enhance their confidence in the rule of law. In the case of Bulgaria, the Commission has taken a formal decision to suspend certain EU funds until the Bulgarian authorities are able to demonstrate that sound financial management structures are in place and operating effectively...."
***

http://blogs.ft.com/brusselsblog/2009/02/romanias-anti-corruption-efforts-slow-down-or-go-backwards/

"Romania's anti-corruption efforts slow down - or go backwards...

...The assessment of Romania was noticeably harsher. “The pace of progress noted in the Commission’s report of July 2008 has not been maintained… Some investigations of high-level cases remain blocked by the Romanian parliament… The capacity of the judicial system in Romania is still weak… It is important that the Romanian authorities regain momentum on judicial reform and the fight against corruption, so as to reverse certain backward movements of recent months.”

The corridors of power in Brussels still echo to the mutterings of policymakers who think Bulgaria and Romania, which became EU members in January 2007, were admitted too soon into the bloc. Once a country joins, so the argument goes, its fellow member-states and the EU institutions lose much of their leverage to make that new entrant behave better. True, but one could perhaps make the case that Bulgaria’s recent improvement - if that’s what it really is - owes something to the European Commission’s decision last year to withdraw or suspend EU funds worth several hundred million euros.

Overall, though, it is difficult to disagree with the latest verdict from Transparency International, the anti-corruption watchdog: “Since 2007, some anti-corruption measures have been launched by both countries, but results are far from satisfactory since these initiatives are limited to the EU’s minimal mandatory requirements and do not address the core corruption problems faced by Bulgaria and Romania.”"
****

http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSL23102522720080723

"UPDATE 3-EU slams Bulgaria on corruption, suspends funds...

...BRUSSELS, July 23 (Reuters) - The European Commission issued a scathing indictment of corruption in Bulgaria on Wednesday, suspending aid worth hundreds of millions of euros (dollars) and barring two key payments agencies from receiving EU funds.

A report on the management of European Union funds by the latest and poorest EU member said the fight against high-level corruption and organised crime was not producing results and the Commission had to act to protect taxpayers' money.

"Therefore, the Commission has taken the decision today to formalise this suspension (of aid) and withdraw the accreditation for two government agencies in charge of managing these pre-accession funds," chief Commission spokesman Johannes Laitenberger told a news conference..."
***

http://eulaw.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/bulgaria-romania-and-greece-most-corrupt-in-the-eu/

"Bulgaria, Romania and Greece Most Corrupt in the EU
November 17, 2009

Bulgaria, Romania and Greece were at the bottom of the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 2009 for the European Union..."
***

http://english.bacauexpres.ro/2009/10/20/romania-lost-169-million-euro-from-the-eu-funds-between-2007-2009-actmedia.html

Romania lost 169 million euro from the EU funds between 2007 – 2009 – ACTmedia

20 October 2009 -

MRT online Romania lost 169 million euro from the EU funds between 2007 – 2009 ACTmedia Romania lost European funds worth 169 million euro from a total of three billion euro, between January 2007 – and July 2009, according to an official report … BRIDGETON MAN IN BULGARIA Vineland Daily Journal EU funds still vulnerable to fraud in Bulgaria EUobserver.com New Bases in Bulgaria, Romania Cost US over USD 100 M"
***

http://www.eumap.org/library/static/libr3/f/k/r/p06s04-wogn.html

"Frustrations mount over Bulgaria – the most violent, corrupt, and poorest of EU members. Aid is being withheld as reform promises are made (and broken). Can it be fixed?...

...he "double standard" defense, though, wasn't enough to deter a stinging financial slap delivered last month by a European Commission angry after millions of euros in development assistance had been siphoned off and a string of high-profile corruption and murder investigations resulted in no convictions.

Bulgaria's case was putting the credibility of EU enlargement at stake: Brussels needed to send a message to those arguing against further expansion and to candidates banging on the door, including Croatia, Serbia, Albania, and Turkey. Just last month, EU officials warned Croatia that its failure to crack down on organized crime and corruption jeopardizes its chance to join the EU next year....


...Romania and Bulgaria, meanwhile, started at a lower level of development and reforms were slowed by foot dragging, experts say.

As the economy worsened here, so, too, did corruption, says John Heck, who runs an EU-funded, anticorruption project in Sofia. The problems are ingrained deeply into modern Bulgarian society, he says, "Integrity – if you look in the Bulgarian dictionary, you won't find the term."

Although critics argued that Romania and Bulgaria would be allowed into the EU too soon, strategic benefits won out. Many Bulgarians were also eager to join, so Brussels dangled a carrot and stick to pressure authorities into complying with EU laws and standards. Still, enforcement lagged and corruption continued.

When Bulgaria and Romania were finally admitted to the EU in January 2007, they became the first to enter with strings attached: They were given several months to clean up their legal systems and to develop methods of tracking EU funding. Promises were made, but deadlines were missed, prompting a growing litany of threats from Brussels...."