EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said in Bucharest on 28 February that 2005 and 2006 would be "exacting years for Romania," adding that the country "has no time to waste" in implementing reforms in the public administration and the judiciary, stepping up the fight against corruption, and fulfilling its commitments in the field of competition and environment.
Rehn said the European Commission would closely monitor Romania's progress in these areas. He warned that Romania's EU accession targeted for 1 January 2007 could be postponed by one year if the government fails to deliver on its commitments. Rehn said: "The commission will not hesitate to recommend the use of the postponement clause, if Romania is manifestly unprepared to cope with the requirements of accession".
Rehn said the European Commission would closely monitor Romania's progress in these areas. He warned that Romania's EU accession targeted for 1 January 2007 could be postponed by one year if the government fails to deliver on its commitments. Rehn said: "The commission will not hesitate to recommend the use of the postponement clause, if Romania is manifestly unprepared to cope with the requirements of accession".
