Romania denounces Finnish demands on EU membership conditions as "Calvinist conspiracy"
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Romania and Bulgaria have successfully completed their negotiations for membership in the European Union. This means that both countries could become members of the EU in 2007.
The negotiations were nevertheless overshadowed by disagreements over Romania’s readiness for membership.
Last week Finland succeeded in getting support from the old EU member states for its demand to allow a postponement of Romania’s EU membership by one year, if the country does not meet EU membership requirements, and if a qualified majority of member states agree to the delay.
Normally, such a decision would require unanimity, which means that a single country could block the move. The purpose of the change is to prevent the acceptance of new members for purely political reasons, and to make sure that the applicant really is fit to join the EU.
The Finnish demand has caused anger in Romania.
"This is a Calvinist conspiracy, which is carrying out an inquisition in Europe", complained one high-ranking Romanian diplomat.
Calvinism is a branch of Protestantism known for its rigid doctrines on many issues. There are hardly any Calvinists in Finland, which is an overwhelmingly Lutheran country.
Another Romanian diplomat said that Finland’s stand on the issue helped opposition leader Traian Basescu win the country’s Presidential elections.
However, Finland’s stance on the issue has won praise from other member states and the European Commission.
Both Romania and Bulgaria are now under pressure to do all they can to implement unfinished reforms. On Tuesday Romania admitted that it had much work to do.
"Romania is a fairly large and diverse country, which has communism and its industrial structure as its legacy", said Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 15.12.2004 - TODAY |
 Romania denounces Finnish demands on EU membership conditions as "Calvinist conspiracy" |
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