Three More Chapters to Close before EU Integration

Romania closed two more chapters yesterday in negotiations with the EU Commission which lasted one hour. There are three more chapters to go.

Downtown Brussels was a boiling spot with demonstrators while security measures at the headquarters of the EU Commission were upgraded. The Turkish PM was expected to visit and this was an event grasping the attention of Belgian media.
Also yesterday took place the event relevant for Romania: closing down two more chapters of negotiation with the EU and [striking a preliminary] agreeing over a third one.

Vasile Puscas, Romanian chief negotiator, and the delegation he was heading in Brussels convened with EU officials over the Free Movement of Services (chapter 3) and the Regional Policies and Structural Instruments (chapter 21). Also agreed upon were five directives in the Environment Chapter (no. 22) for which transitional periods for adjustment were requested. Negotiation over this chapter is to conclude within one month. This means that Romania has still three chapters to go before fully concluding the accession negotiations with the EU (the Competition, the environment and the Justice and Home Affairs).

The chapter concerning Free Movement of Services is relevant for services in banking, insurance and real estate, and also to the protection of personal data in the information society. This means that Romania is due to put up the Control Authority in the field of personal data protection. Its aim would be to protect citizens against abuse from companies that will want to use the personal data they volunteered to other companies.
Also, the enforcement of EU regulations in the field of free movement of services would mean that no discrimination would be made between domestic and international providers.

The closing of the Regional Policies chapter set the funds Romania will get after the EU accession: 5.9 million euros for years 2007 - 2009. The money is ear-marked for projects increasing competitiveness and developing human resources, transportation infrastructure, energy, environment, agriculture and fisheries. Closing the Regional Policies chapter also means that the current development regions are confirmed and changing them along the lines providing regional autonomy for the Hungarian minority is out of the question. "The EU Commission does want Romania to close the negotiations this year," stated Puscas.

As for the Environment Chapter, Romania got the transition period it requested before falling in line with requirements in 11 directives. The transitional period lasts between one to three years and refers to installations in the oil industry, waste incineration facilities and for treatment of waste waters. Romanians will be required to recycle their garbage, electrical appliances and electronic equipment. For instance, by 2008, the latter should be recycled in the amount equivalent to 4 kilos per person per year.

One hour ahead of the negotiation session, Puscas reviewed with his team of experts and advisers all documents to be presented to the EU Commission. This time he answered all phone calls he received, checked the language used in negotiating the files and even took time to scold the receptionists at the office in Bucharest for not keeping the lines open. He concluded saying that a heart attack is bound to put him down by the end of the day if things continue to work as they did so far.