EU formally backs 2007 entry for Romania, Bulgaria

LUXEMBOURG: European Union foreign ministers formally endorsed on Tuesday a recommendation that Romania and Bulgaria join the bloc next January rather than being made to wait until 2008.   

"The Council ... looks forward to welcoming Bulgaria and Romania as members of the Union on 1 January 2007," a statement approved at the ministers' monthly meeting said.

The move will increase the EU's membership to 27 countries.   

Ministers urged Sofia and Bucharest to continue reforms and backed a European Commission proposal to check progress in judicial reform, fighting organised crime and corruption and to withhold some EU funds if necessary.