European parliament committee says ‘yes’ to Bulgaria’s EU accession

The foreign policy committee of the European Parliament yesterday gave its approval to Bulgaria’s accession to the European Union. By 71 votes in favour, one against and one abstention, the MEPs approved a report by Jeffrey van Orden, rapporteur for Bulgaria. The committee is recommendeding that the European Parliament give its consent to signing the accession treaty with Bulgaria on April 25 and for Bulgaria to join the EU on January 1, 2007.

However, the committee also overwhemingly agreed that the European Parliament should be kept involved after the signing of the treaties - although the assembly’s role would normally end at this point. This move mainly concerns any future decisions over activating a safeguard clause postponing the country’s accession by a year, if it was not living up to its reform promises. The European Commission is supporting this call by the MEPs for a continuing role, saying it would help ensure a successful preparation for accession.