1. 6th anniversary of Romania6th anniversary of Romania
in the European Unionin the European Union
The National Pedagogic CollegeThe 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 aSituated in SE Europe, Romania is a developing countrydeveloping country and aand a
place of interest for many foreigners. In 2007, Romania wasplace of interest for many foreigners. In 2007, Romania was
accepted as a full EU member state. Romania has made steadyaccepted as a full EU member state. Romania has made steady
economic progress in the past 20 years, after the fall of theeconomic progress in the past 20 years, after the fall of the
communist regime. However, Romania still has to fightcommunist regime. However, Romania still has to fight
against a high level of corruption. Before the World War 2against a high level of corruption. Before the World War 2
(WW2) Romania was a(WW2) Romania was a wealthywealthy European state, whoseEuropean state, whose
economy was mainly based on agriculture. The economic andeconomy was mainly based on agriculture. The economic and
political situation have changed dramatically after thepolitical situation have changed dramatically after the
communists took over power and its new leaders sympathizedcommunists 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 theRomania is working hard to regain its position among the
leading European nations. Romania's population totals nearlyleading European nations. Romania's population totals nearly
22 million people. The official language is22 million people. The official language is RomanianRomanian, which, which
is the onlyis the only LatinLatin language spoken in SE Europe.language spoken in SE Europe.

3. NegotiationsNegotiations
 RomaniRomaniaa was the first country of post-communistwas the first country of post-communist Europe toEurope 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 ofof
1989, European Union (EU) membership has been the main1989, European Union (EU) membership has been the main
goal of every Romanian Government and practically everygoal of every Romanian Government and practically every
political party in Romania. Romania signed its Europepolitical party in Romania. Romania signed its Europe
Agreement in 1993, and submitted its official application forAgreement 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 andcommunist European countries to do so after Hungary and
Poland. Along with its official EU application, RomaniaPoland. Along with its official EU application, Romania
submitted the “Snagov Declaration”, signed by all fourteensubmitted the “Snagov Declaration”, signed by all fourteen
major political parties declaring their full support for EUmajor political parties declaring their full support for EU
membership.membership.

4. NegociationsNegociations
 During the 2000s, Romania implemented a number of reforms to prepareDuring 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 forthe institution of the rule of law, the acknowledgement of respect for
human rights, the commitment to personal freedom of expression, and thehuman rights, the commitment to personal freedom of expression, and the
implementation of a functioning free-market economy. The objective ofimplementation of a functioning free-market economy. The objective of
joining the EU has also influenced Romania's regional relations. As ajoining the EU has also influenced Romania's regional relations. As a
result, Romania has imposed visa regimes on a number of states, includingresult, 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 EUWithin the framework of integration meetings held between the EU
member states and Bulgaria, an 'Association Committee' was held on 22member states and Bulgaria, an 'Association Committee' was held on 22
June 2004. It confirmed overall good progress for the preparation ofJune 2004. It confirmed overall good progress for the preparation of
accession; however, it highlighted the need for further reform of Bulgaria'saccession; however, it highlighted the need for further reform of Bulgaria's
judicial structures, particularly in its pre-trial phases, as well as the needjudicial 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. Thelimited 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 DecemberThe Brussels European Council of December
17 200417 2004 confirmed the conclusion of accessionconfirmed the conclusion of accession
negotiations with Bulgaria. The 26 Septembernegotiations with Bulgaria. The 26 September
2006 monitoring report of the European2006 monitoring report of the European
Commission confirmed the date once more,Commission confirmed the date once more,
also announcing that Bulgaria and Romaniaalso announcing that Bulgaria and Romania
would meet no direct restrictions, but progresswould 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 theThe date of accession, 1 January 2007, was set at the
ThessalonikiThessaloniki Summit in 2003 and confirmed inSummit in 2003 and confirmed in
Brussels on 18 June 2004. Bulgaria, Romania and theBrussels on 18 June 2004. Bulgaria, Romania and the
EU-25 signed the Treaty of Accession on 25 AprilEU-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 theThe 26 September 2006 monitoring report of the
European Commission confirmed the entry date as 1European Commission confirmed the entry date as 1
January 2007. The last instrument of ratification ofJanuary 2007. The last instrument of ratification of
the Treaty of Accession was deposited with thethe Treaty of Accession was deposited with the
Italian government on 20 December 2006 therebyItalian 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 ofRomania –EU member- 1st of
January 2007January 2007
 The Romanian president said EU entry was anThe Romanian president said EU entry was an
"enormous chance for future generations""enormous chance for future generations" ..
 Romania and BulgariaRomania and Bulgaria accession means theaccession means the
EU now has 27 members and half a billionEU now has 27 members and half a billion
people, and stretches as far east as the Blackpeople, and stretches as far east as the Black
Sea.Sea.
 TThe EU flag was raised outside thehe EU flag was raised outside the
government headquarters in Bucharest to thegovernment headquarters in Bucharest to the
European anthem, Beethoven's Ode to Joy.European anthem, Beethoven's Ode to Joy.

8. Do Romanians speak English inDo Romanians speak English in
Romania?Romania?
 TThe national language is Romanian and there arehe national language is Romanian and there are
several different dialects.several different dialects.
Also the French language is very important inAlso the French language is very important in
Romania.Romania.
 YYes, they do. A great number of Romanians have anes, they do. A great number of Romanians have an
impressively high level of English. By the time theyimpressively high level of English. By the time they
are in high school students are already using Upperare in high school students are already using Upper
Intermediate and Advanced books. It's one of the onlyIntermediate 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.