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FIRST the fake suspense; now the real work. On September 26th the European Commission gave the nod to Romania and Bulgaria to join the European Union next January (the decision must be endorsed by an EU summit, and four national parliaments still have to ratify it). Despite efforts to create an atmosphere of fingerwagging anxiety about both countries' patchy reforms, the outcome was never in doubt.

That is not because the two countries are ready—they are not. Although their economies are growing fast (by 7% in Romania, 6% in Bulgaria), both are poor, with incomes around one-third of the EU average—less than any of the eight other ex-communist countries that joined in May 2004. Romania, especially, has many poor farmers. More seriously, both countries are poor in public spirit as well.

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One Response to “EC4333 Readings: The Economist this week”

  1. Zhelyo Tonev-bulgarian

    I really can not understand this fear of Bulgaria and Romania being admitted to EU. And there is another thing I really can't undrestand-in western press they always show some poor shepherds or people from the poorest parts of our countries, I mean this is not the real face of our countries. Young, very well-educated people, like myself, we are the face of our countries. And yes we know who Curt Cobain is, if you catch my drift, alright?!
    And furthermore I'll go back to Bulgaria when I finish my studies here, the same is with my romanian friends here.
    So have no fear.
    Unfortunatelly I have to go now, probably the next time my comment will be longer.

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