The Commission’s communication on the accession of Bulgaria and Romania

Since 1974 that Romania has official relations with the European Community, making it the first CEEC to be in such a position. Indeed, in 1974 Romania was included in the Community’s generalised system of preferences and an agreement on industrial products was signed in 1980.

Diplomatic relations have existed since 1990 and a trade and co-operation agreement was signed in 1991. The Europe agreement, which covered a wide range of sectors, came into effect in 1995. Romania’s application for membership of the EU was submitted on June 22, 1995 and in July 1997 the European Commission issued an opinion on it. The Commission recommended the start of negotiations with Romania in its report released in 1999 and negotiations started on February 2000. Diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and the EU were established in 1988 and a trade and co-operation agreement was signed two years later. The Europe agreement was signed in 1993 and came into force in 1995. Bulgaria submitted its application to the EU on December 14, 1995 and the Commission issued its opinion in July 1997. Likewise negotiations started in February 2000. The Thessaloniki, reinforced by the Brussels, summit conclusions gave support to the Romanian and Bulgarian aim of joining the EU by 2007 “The European Council looks forward to the Commission 2004 regular report, which will assess the two countries’ ability to assume all the obligations of membership by accession”.