Romania and Bulgaria Into EU

Posted by Amanda Kendle Sep 26, 2006

30 million extra people will most likely be added the European Union on 1 January 2007, after the European Commission approved the plan for Bulgaria and Romania to join. However, many key players were concerned that the two countries - relatively poor when compared to most existing EU members - will not be able to contribute appropriately to the EU, so the EC has given them a long "to-do" list to ensure full membership come January.

This includes issues such as addressing corruption and organized crime problems and improving food safety standards, and the EC meets again to formally approve the two countries' accession in October 2006. As travelers, we can look forward to easier border checks and perhaps one day, a common currency even all the way over there at the Black Sea.