Romania joins European Union

Romania's leaders welcomed entry into the European Union Monday as a return to a democratic and peaceful family of Europe.

Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu said the hoisting of EU flags in the capital Bucharest and across the nation of 22 million was a historic moment and a reason of joy for the entire Romanian people, the Rompres news agency reported.

"This moment has been awaited for 17 years," Tariceanu said in a reference to the December 1989 national uprising that toppled the regime of communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.

Romanian President Traian Basescu told the nation its accession to the EU is an expression of Romanians' "wish to return to a democratic Europe where peace is the first EU rule."

Since the downfall of communism, public opinion polls have shown between 60 percent and 80 percent of Romanians support the country's entry to the union, local media said.

Romania joined the union along with another Balkan-post-communist country, Bulgaria.

In coming months, both countries will be under EU supervision to make sure they continue with judiciary reforms to curb organized crime and corruption.

Source: UPI