European Commission: Strategy Paper and Report 2003

Progress to-date

This year's Regular Reports show that Bulgaria and Romania have made further progress towards meeting the Copenhagen criteria. In order to successfully complete their preparations, they need to strengthen their efforts in meeting the economic criteria and in transposing, implementing and enforcing the acquis. They also need to continue the reform of public administration and the judiciary.

Bulgaria and Romania have made considerable progress in the negotiations. All negotiating chapters have now been opened with Bulgaria and almost all with Romania. With Bulgaria, the remaining chapters were opened in the first half of 2002 and with Romania it should be possible to open the last four chapters before the end of this year, thus fulfilling the Laeken European Council's objective to have all chapters opened with these two countries in 2002.