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“Romania has crossed the Rubicon”

26th September 2006

Commenting on the European Commission’s report (published this afternoon at 15.00) on Romania’s preparedness for EU membership, Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne said:

“With today’s announcement, Romania has finally crossed the Rubicon and will once again become part of Europe on 1 January 2007.  After 16 agonising years shaking off the grim shadow left by Soviet Russia, the far-reaching reforms have ensured that the opportunities of EU membership are now a firm reality. I am delighted that Romania has thoroughly embraced the free market and fundamental freedoms the EU cherishes and am sure she will continue down the path of reform and modernisation post-January.”

She added:

“I know Romania and her vibrant, hard-working people will play a very important role in re-energising the EU, and in shaping the Union’s increasingly important relations with Russia and the former Soviet states to our East.”

Ends.