Rehn: EU kan ook na lidmaatschap Bulgarije en Roemenië druk uitoefenen op hervormingen (en)

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The European Commission could withhold EU cash to Romania and Bulgaria to push for further reform even after they become members of the bloc, EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn has indicated.

The commissioner met members of the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee on Monday evening (3 April), some six weeks before a crucial commission report on the two countries' EU bid.

The report could recommend a one-year membership postponement from 2007 to 2008 for both countries if entry preparations in key areas such as corruption and the judiciary fall short.

But Mr Rehn signalled putting off membership until 2008 is unlikely, saying that "a recommendation to postpone accession will only be made in cases of major problems."

The commissioner's wording was markedly different from expressions used in an earlier meeting with MEPs in October, where he had said he would "not hesitate" to use the delay option.

EU cash withheld?

More likely is a recommendation by Brussels to use the less drastic safeguard clauses - either in the May report or even in a later report in November.

These safeguard clauses could exclude Romania or Bulgaria from full participation in specific policy areas even if they enter the union on time in 2007.

The invocation of the "justice and home affairs" safeguard clause is particularly likely for Bulgaria, which according to commissioner Rehn has not progressed well enough in reforming the judiciary and in its fight against crime and corruption.

The application of the clause could mean, for example, that Sofia could also be excluded from new EU policy initiatives in police or criminal matters.

The commissioner told MEPs on Monday that "progress in the reform of the judiciary system has been limited" in Bulgaria.

"Existing legal provisions to pursue high-level corruption have only rarely been used," he said adding "there are still very few investigations and prosecutions" against organized crime.

Mr Rehn's meeting with MEPs took place behind closed doors, but MEPs told EUobserver after the gathering that the commission is devising a new monitoring system which should pressure Sofia and Bucharest to pursue reforms even after accession.

Dutch Green MEP Joost Lagendijk said that Mr Rehn had indicated this could "include the withholding of EU financial aid if reforms are not satisfactory."

The MEP added that this could become the "key" to the commission strategy.

The parliament's rapporteur on Bulgaria, UK conservative MEP Geoffrey Van Orden, said that that there "could be a financial dimension" to intensified monitoring efforts after accession.

But he added it is "too early" to speculate on this instrument, explaining that this decision should be taken in November, only after a "political decision to let the countries enter in 2007."

Bucharest overtakes Sofia?

Mr Lagendijk said that "Romania seems to have meanwhile overtaken Bulgaria" in its preparedness for EU accession, following a long period where Bulgaria had been considered more advanced.

Commissioner Rehn praised Bucharest before MEPs for progress in the "critical" areas of corruption and the reform of the judiciary.

"Romania has made progress in the fight against corruption. Sound and solid structures have been set up for this purpose, and investigations into high-level corruption cases have been launched," he said while noting "significant progress" in judicial reforms.

But the commissioner also said that Bucharest needs to step up its fight against human trafficking and enhance efforts to integrate the Roma minority.

"The jury is still out," Mr Rehn concluded referring to both EU hopefuls.