EU Becoming 27 Countries

"The European parliament gave the go-ahead yesterday for Bulgaria and Romania to join the EU in 2007, at the earliest, despite fears about economic reforms and corruption. The two former communist countries, due to sign the accession treaty on April 25, will swell the EU to 27 members in a fifth wave of enlargement since it was founded in 1958. Six other east European countries are waiting in the wings.

"MEPs approved the two countries' accession, rejecting moves by the Greens and some Christian Democrats to delay the votes until after the commission reports in November on how they are preparing for membership."