MEPs debating report on EU accession states
The European Parliament is debating a report today on the state of preparedness of the 10 EU accession states.
The report, compiled by the European Commission’s foreign affairs committee, says some accession states have still not fully implemented and enforced EU laws.
The report calls on the commission to keep up the pressure on these states to introduce the necessary reforms after their join the EU in May.
MEPs are also debating the progress being made by Bulgaria and Romania in their applications to join the EU.
Speaking during the debate, Ireland’s Minister for Europe, Dick Roche, said EU enlargement would be remembered as a defining moment in the history of Europe.
He said the accession of 10 new countries would have a remarkable impact on how the EU did business and said it would benefit both the existing EU members and the new states.
Mr Roche said there were a number of outstanding issues relating to Bulgaria and Romania’s applications for EU membership, including an agreed financial package.
