The EU Enlargement

Everybody in the world greeted 2007 with fireworks. However, two countries have ushered in 2007 with absolute Joy and funfare. As the clock struck Midnight and 1st January 2007 began, Romania and Bulgaria ushered in a new era for their people . As of this day, both nations are official members of the European Union. The long awaited dream of these two nations has been fulfilled, and it is upto the governments of the two nations to ensure that they become prosperous in the years to come.

However, the entry of these two nations will test the EU in the years to come. After this, the EU does not go into an expanding venture at least till 2015. These two countries are joining at a time when the very scope of a Multi-Cultural Europe is being debated. The EU nations have not agreed to a constituition, and many citizens of the EU believe that furthur expansion will only stagnate the EU furthur. Romania and Bulgaria are the two poorer nations of the EU, and this means that there will be a large number of immigrants from this two nations into Western Europe.

These two countries have joined the EU on very strict conditions, and unless the governments of the two nations do not improve the situation internally, the EU will cut off their annual funding. Hence, the message is clear. If Romania and Bulgaria do not improve their present condition, then their membership in the EU could become a Liability. Many nations have declared that they will allow only a select number of Romanian and Bulgarian workers annually, although the exception in this case could be the UK.

Romania and Bulgaria have put their oppressive past behind, and the people now expect better times now that they are part of the EU. There has been prosperiety for every nation that has joined the EU, and these two countries will hope that they continue the trend. But, the challenges these two countries face are enournmous. Poverty, Unemployment, Organized Crime are several of the factors which have inhibited true progress within these nations. The Governments of these respective nations now have to dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to ensure that their people get the accolades from the entire EU. These two countries might reaffirm the belief among millions that the Future of Europe lies in Multi-Culturalism, tolerance and that the EU stands for prosperiety and upliftment.