Romania and Bulgaria join the European Union
SOFIA, Bulgaria: Bulgarians and Romanians awoke as European Union citizens Monday as the bloc expanded to 27 nations and almost half a billion people. Membership fulfilled "a generation's dream," Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev said. The two Balkan neighbors officially joined at midnight, to the thunder of New Year fireworks.
"A dream came true today — a dream for generations of Bulgarians who wished to live together with the free and democratic peoples of Europe in peace and prosperity," Stanishev said Monday.Controls at Bulgaria's borders with Turkey, Serbia and Macedonia were strengthened to comply with EU standards, said Asen Asenov, the head of the customs agency.
Despite lingering problems with corruption and judicial reforms, both countries have had strong economic growth following years of deep recession. Growth in 2006 is estimated at 5.5 percent in Bulgaria and 7 percent in Romania. Still, salaries remain low by western European standards. In Bulgaria, the average monthly wage is €180 (US$235); in Romania, about €305 (US$400).
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