XVIth EPP CONGRESS The EPP: Your Majority in Europe 4 - 5 February 2004 European Parliament BRUSSELS

Resolution adopted by the XVIth EPP Congress
Romania


As the EU registers its widest enlargement further to the integration of ten new member countries, representing an historical process of the reunification of the European continent, the PPE is particularly attached and attentive to its pursuance and completion.

Amongst the twelve candidate countries which are in negotiation, Bulgaria and Romania are the only ones which do not figure in the enlargement of 2004. 2007 was foreseen for the integration of these two countries on condition that negotiations are concluded and that all required conditions are met.

Romania, considered as being the latest in the process of joining the European Union, is far from having met all the integration conditions. Difficulties arise on the political level where the weakness of the democratic opposition, namely that of the political parties belonging to the christian democrat and people’s political family, and the dominant position of the present party in power is an handicap to the proper development of democracy.

The state of public administration, of justice (often controlled by the political power) and the very high level reached by corruption are very disturbing.

We wish to point out that the deferment of the date for integration of Romania in the European Union and all slowing down of the process is not a solution for the country, nor for the European construction neither for our values. The strictness and control which will be imposed once Romania is a member of the European Union will bring a real solution to the present difficulties.

In view of the above and in the name of solidarity, the PPE calls upon all its members to:

1) aid Romania in meeting all required conditions in the joining of the EU in 2007 and that, by all means, including by the removal of any obstacle to the integration process and by a more exacting monitoring,

2)to set up all means for the structuring and development in Romania of a strong Christian Democrat and People’s sister party capable of representing a credible alternative upon coming elections. This justifies itself, not only by the pertinence of Christian Democrat solutions for a country emerging from communism and the role of Christian Democrat parties in the European construction but also by the substantial reinforcing of democracy in this country.