Finland supports Bulgaria’s EU membership bid
Prime Minister Stanichev visits Helsinki
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Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen promised on Tuesday to open Finland’s labour market to citizens of Bulgaria if that country becomes a member of the European Union at the beginning of next year.
Bulgaria and Romania hope to become members of the EU at the beginning of 2007.
However, there are concerns that widespread corruption, organised crime, and trafficking in humans could delay Bulgaria’s membership.
Finland could find itself in a position as mediator in the second half of this year when it holds the Presidency of the European Union - even though the membership negotiations are the responsibility of the European Commission.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanichev visited Finland on Monday and Tuesday this week, seeking to persuade the future holder of the EU Presidency to take a positive view of his country’s hopes for membership. Finland has a good reputation among applicant countries, because negotiations started during Finland’s previous turn at the Presidency.
Prime Minister Vanhanen did not need any persuasion: he said at a press conference on Tuesday that he hopes that Bulgaria will become a member of the EU at the beginning of next year.
The Commission will decide in mid-May on when membership would take effect.
"A postponement would cause disappointment toward the EU, it would deprive the Union of credibility, and could have a negative effect on the fragile development of the West Balkans", said Prime Minister Stanichev.
He also does not believe that the Commission will resort to allowing limits on access by Bulgaria to the internal market.
Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn expects high-level action against corruption, as well as reform of the legal system before the country can be seen to be in shape for membership.
The broad-based government that took office in August last year is making efforts to satisfy the EU’s requirements. Prime Minister Stanichev pointed to progress: nine Bulgarian Members of Parliament are under investigation for corruption. Bulgaria also has a new anti-corruption body, and a public prosecutor was appointed a week ago. Corrupt customs officials have been arrested, and trafficking in humans has been criminalised.
Prosecution of Members of Parliament will require an amendment to the Bulgarian constitution. On Tuesday, Commissioner Rehn urged Bulgaria to change its constitution with respect to the legal system.
Bulgaria has hired a consultant to help lobby to get the support of public opinion in countries such as France, Germany, The Netherlands, and Denmark behind the membership bid.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 29.3.2006 - TODAY |
 Finland supports Bulgaria’s EU membership bid
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