Some member states still have deficiencies in the fulfillment of the Copenhagen criteria
Answering an invitation from the Centre for Political Parliamentary Education and Training (CET ) of the European People’s Party (EPP) Mr. Sógor Csaba, Member of the European Parliament met with a group of young political analysts from the western Balkan region. The CET annually organizes training courses in Brussels regarding the functioning of the European institutions.
Mr. Sógor Csaba presented the social, political and economical changes Romania underwent during the accession procedure and pointed out the advantages a newly joined country has. Selecting from his political experiences, Mr. Sógor Csaba stressed the importance of the codification of collective minority rights even before accession and the implementation of the measures aimed at solving the issues regarding the Roma minority, as well as the need to be in total compliance with the obligations assumed through international agreements.
From an economical point of view, the establishment of the payment agencies in due course and their unobstructed functioning is of the upmost importance, just like the implementation of EU standards in the production of goods, the regulations of the market and the reform of the tax system. There is also a lot to do in the field of environment protection and most of the issues can only be solved with long term investments. Mr. Sógor Csaba also voiced his concern regarding the diminishment of the level of industrial pollution and emphasizes the importance of ecological education.
Mr. Sógor pointed out Greece and Ireland as two examples of countries that have joined the EU in an earlier phase, but have shown great differences in the way they used the European funds. He stated that the „years of change” are never smooth, but the practical implementation of the acquis communautaire always has its rewards, regardless of the fact that even the EU has its flaws. “It is important to note that a double standard has developed from the point of view of the minorities: there is no demand on the older member states to be in compliance with the Copenhagen criteria” – said Mr. Sógor Csaba.
