Romania part of the European Union

1. 6th anniversary of Romania 6th anniversary of Romania
in the European Unionin the European Union
The National Pedagogic College The National Pedagogic College
C. BrătescuC. Brătescu

2. IIs Romania part of the EU?s Romania part of the EU?

Situated in SE Europe, Romania is a Situated in SE Europe, Romania is a developing countrydeveloping country and a and a
place of interest for many foreigners. In 2007, Romania was place of interest for many foreigners. In 2007, Romania was
accepted as a full EU member state. Romania has made steady accepted as a full EU member state. Romania has made steady
economic progress in the past 20 years, after the fall of the economic progress in the past 20 years, after the fall of the
communist regime. However, Romania still has to fight communist regime. However, Romania still has to fight
against a high level of corruption. Before the World War 2 against a high level of corruption. Before the World War 2
(WW2) Romania was a (WW2) Romania was a wealthywealthy European state, whose European state, whose
economy was mainly based on agriculture. The economic and economy was mainly based on agriculture. The economic and
political situation have changed dramatically after the political situation have changed dramatically after the
communists took over power and its new leaders sympathized communists took over power and its new leaders sympathized
with the Russian regime at the end of WW2. Nowadays, with the Russian regime at the end of WW2. Nowadays,
Romania is working hard to regain its position among the Romania is working hard to regain its position among the
leading European nations. Romania's population totals nearly leading European nations. Romania's population totals nearly
22 million people. The official language is 22 million people. The official language is RomanianRomanian, which , which
is the only is the only LatinLatin language spoken in SE Europe. language spoken in SE Europe.

3. NegotiationsNegotiations

RomaniRomaniaa was the first country of post-communist was the first country of post-communist Europe to Europe to
have official relations with the European Community. In 1974, have official relations with the European Community. In 1974,
a treaty included Romania in the Community's Generalizea treaty included Romania in the Community's Generalizedd
System of Preferences. Since the Romanian RevolutionSystem of Preferences. Since the Romanian Revolution of of
1989, European Union (EU) membership has been the main 1989, European Union (EU) membership has been the main
goal of every Romanian Government and practically every goal of every Romanian Government and practically every
political party in Romania. Romania signed its Europe political party in Romania. Romania signed its Europe
Agreement in 1993, and submitted its official application for Agreement in 1993, and submitted its official application for
membership in the EU in 1995, the third of the post–membership in the EU in 1995, the third of the post–
communist European countries to do so after Hungary and communist European countries to do so after Hungary and
Poland. Along with its official EU application, Romania Poland. Along with its official EU application, Romania
submitted the “Snagov Declaration”, signed by all fourteen submitted the “Snagov Declaration”, signed by all fourteen
major political parties declaring their full support for EU major political parties declaring their full support for EU
membership. membership.

4. NegociationsNegociations

During the 2000s, Romania implemented a number of reforms to prepare During the 2000s, Romania implemented a number of reforms to prepare
for EU accession, including the consolidation of its democratic systems, for EU accession, including the consolidation of its democratic systems,
the institution of the rule of law, the acknowledgement of respect for the institution of the rule of law, the acknowledgement of respect for
human rights, the commitment to personal freedom of expression, and the human rights, the commitment to personal freedom of expression, and the
implementation of a functioning free-market economy. The objective of implementation of a functioning free-market economy. The objective of
joining the EU has also influenced Romania's regional relations. As a joining the EU has also influenced Romania's regional relations. As a
result, Romania has imposed visa regimes on a number of states, including result, Romania has imposed visa regimes on a number of states, including
Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Serbia, Montenegro, Turkey and Moldova.Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Serbia, Montenegro, Turkey and Moldova.

Within the framework of integration meetings held between the EU Within the framework of integration meetings held between the EU
member states and Bulgaria, an 'Association Committee' was held on 22 member states and Bulgaria, an 'Association Committee' was held on 22
June 2004. It confirmed overall good progress for the preparation of June 2004. It confirmed overall good progress for the preparation of
accession; however, it highlighted the need for further reform of Bulgaria's accession; however, it highlighted the need for further reform of Bulgaria's
judicial structures, particularly in its pre-trial phases, as well as the need judicial structures, particularly in its pre-trial phases, as well as the need
for further efforts to fight against political corruption and organized crime, for further efforts to fight against political corruption and organized crime,
including human trafficking. There was also, according to the report, including human trafficking. There was also, according to the report,
limited progress regarding the integration of the Roma community. The limited progress regarding the integration of the Roma community. The
findings were reflected in the 2004 Regular Reportfindings were reflected in the 2004 Regular Report..

5. NegociationsNegociations

The Brussels European Council of December The Brussels European Council of December
17 200417 2004 confirmed the conclusion of accession confirmed the conclusion of accession
negotiations with Bulgaria. The 26 September negotiations with Bulgaria. The 26 September
2006 monitoring report of the European 2006 monitoring report of the European
Commission confirmed the date once more, Commission confirmed the date once more,
also announcing that Bulgaria and Romania also announcing that Bulgaria and Romania
would meet no direct restrictions, but progress would meet no direct restrictions, but progress
in certain areasin certain areas,, would be strictly monitored. would be strictly monitored.

6. TreatyTreaty

The date of accession, 1 January 2007, was set at the The date of accession, 1 January 2007, was set at the
ThessalonikiThessaloniki Summit in 2003 and confirmed in Summit in 2003 and confirmed in
Brussels on 18 June 2004. Bulgaria, Romania and the Brussels on 18 June 2004. Bulgaria, Romania and the
EU-25 signed the Treaty of Accession on 25 April EU-25 signed the Treaty of Accession on 25 April
2005 at Luxembourg2005 at Luxembourg 's Neumuenster Abbey.'s Neumuenster Abbey.

The 26 September 2006 monitoring report of the The 26 September 2006 monitoring report of the
European Commission confirmed the entry date as 1 European Commission confirmed the entry date as 1
January 2007. The last instrument of ratification of January 2007. The last instrument of ratification of
the Treaty of Accession was deposited with the the Treaty of Accession was deposited with the
Italian government on 20 December 2006 thereby Italian government on 20 December 2006 thereby
ensuring it came into force on 1 January 2007ensuring it came into force on 1 January 2007..

7. Romania –EU member- 1st of Romania –EU member- 1st of
January 2007January 2007

The Romanian president said EU entry was an The Romanian president said EU entry was an
"enormous chance for future generations" "enormous chance for future generations" ..

Romania and Bulgaria Romania and Bulgaria accession means the accession means the
EU now has 27 members and half a billion EU now has 27 members and half a billion
people, and stretches as far east as the Black people, and stretches as far east as the Black
Sea. Sea.

TThe EU flag was raised outside the he EU flag was raised outside the
government headquarters in Bucharest to the government headquarters in Bucharest to the
European anthem, Beethoven's Ode to Joy. European anthem, Beethoven's Ode to Joy.

8. Do Romanians speak English in Do Romanians speak English in
Romania?Romania?

TThe national language is Romanian and there are he national language is Romanian and there are
several different dialects. several different dialects.
Also the French language is very important in Also the French language is very important in
Romania. Romania.

YYes, they do. A great number of Romanians have an es, they do. A great number of Romanians have an
impressively high level of English. By the time they impressively high level of English. By the time they
are in high school students are already using Upper are in high school students are already using Upper
Intermediate and Advanced books. It's one of the only Intermediate and Advanced books. It's one of the only
countries that has what they call "super-advanced" countries that has what they call "super-advanced"
coursebooks. coursebooks.