Bulgaria and Romania join the EU bloc

Bulgaria and Romania signed an accession treaty with the European Union on Monday, clearing the final hurdle to join the bloc as early as 2007.

The two ex-communist &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/hotspots/2001/04/20/3811.html ' target=_blank>Balkan states will join the 25-nation bloc on Jan. 1, 2007, provided they carry out reforms to fight corruption, strengthen border controls, beef up their justice and administration, and improve rules on state aid to industry.

If they do not, their membership could be delayed until 2008, according to the 860-page treaty signed by &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/world/2003/03/20/44755.html ' target=_blank>Bulgarian, Romanian leaders and the EU foreign ministers, reforms Reuters.

Bulgaria and Romania will enter the EU on Jan. 1, 2007, provided they carry out tough reforms to fight corruption, strengthen border controls, beef up judicial and administrative systems and improve rules on state aid to industry.

If they do not, their membership could be delayed until 2008, according to the 860-page treaty signed by Bulgarian and Romanian leaders and the EU foreign ministers.