Romania and the EU: Netting the Untouchables

The Economist is rather positive about Romania's efforts to reach the EU integration standards. This recent article praises the fight against corruption ("catching the big fish") led by the "impressive non-party justice minister", "soft-spoken", Monica Macovei" and the "salty captain Basescu".

I wouldn't yet show too much enthusiasm, nonetheless one cannot deny that some progress is now visible. And I couldn't agree more with the fact that there are plenty things to dislike about Romania but that keeping it out would not benefit either Romania or the EU.

Here's the start of the text:

The smell of fish being friend hangs over Bucharest. The European Union wants progress in the fight against top-level corruption and, as Brussels mulls over when to admit Romania, the authorities started hunting impressive fish: a deputy prime minister, George Copos, an ex-prime minister, Adrian Nastase, and a former economy minister are under investigation. All deny wrongdoing. But the sight of a previously untouchable class facing any scrutiny is welcome. Since the toppling of Nicolae Ceausescu in 1989, politics in the biggest Balkan country have seen theft matched only by impunity

And the end:

The European Commission will issue its report on Romania and Bulgaria in May; an EU summit will then decide when to admit them. Romania is poorer and worse-governed than most, but it is also too big to ignore. So some are suggesting postponing membership by a year, or even indefinitely. Yet Romanians have a ready rejoinder: things are changing fast, if belatedly. The last bunch of new entrants were admitted more for their effort than their achievement, yet there are few regrets today. In short, there is plenty for the EU to dislike about Romania- but keeping it out would not speed its progres.