Bulgaria and Romania given the green light for final talks to join the EU

12.00.00pm GMT Sat 16th Apr 2005

Bulgaria and Romania given the green light for final talks to join the EU

The European Parliament has agreed that Bulgaria and Romania can seek permission to join the European Union, as early as 2007. It is likely that the two countries will be able to sign an accession treaty next month.

Both Countries still have problems particularly with freedom of the press, censorship and human rights issues.