Tougher protective clauses for future EU membership agreements

Karl-Peter Schwarz describes the suspension of Romanian President Traian Basescu as a "cold-blooded and concealed parliamentary putsch" aimed at reversing judiciary reforms. "Paradoxically, it was the hostile mood that took hold of expansion-weary Europe in the final phase of Romania's accession process that gave the reforms their greatest boost. The European Commission was forced to take a hard line and support the president and his justice minister, who were consequently able to push through anti-corruption measures that are tougher than those of any other EU country... However, the lesson to be learned from the experiences there can be applied to any candidate country for EU membership. Reforms that don't come about without pressure from the EU can be reversed as soon as the pressure is relaxed. The protective clauses which were incorporated into the accession agreements of Romania and Bulgaria are not effective enough as deterrents."

» to the homepage (external link, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Domestic Policy, » Europe, » Romania
All available articles from » Karl-Peter Schwarz

» To the complete press review of Monday, April 23, 2007