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EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - An upbeat Romanian Foreign Minister defended both his government's tax reforms and its steps to curb corruption in a debate with MEPs on Wednesday (2 February).

Mihai Razvan Ungureanu told MEPs from the foreign affairs committee that Bucharest is already preparing to send its observers to the EU institutions, following the signing of the Accession treaty in April.

Presenting his cabinet's agenda, Mr Ungureanu expressed full confidence that the country would join the EU along with Bulgaria in January 2007.

Both countries closed entry negotiations last December, but could face a further delay in their accessions if they are found not to be fulfilling their commitments to the EU.

"If I should start listing the things we've already done to address the key issues, you might just stop me after five minutes and let me sign up the accession right away", said Mr Ungureanu striking a confident tone.

He added that the Romanian executive might be currently dubbed as the "pampers government", for the low average age of its ministers, but it is "not only innocent but also determined".

However, although they were almost unanimous in praising the first steps of the new Romanian cabinet and president, MEPs warned Mr Ungureanu that he would need real determination to prevent a triggering of the EU's safeguard clause for postponing membership.

No social dumping, please

French Socialist MEP Pierre Moscovici, the rapporteur for Romania in the European Parliament, called for attention in the areas that remain problematic, such as corruption and fair competition.

He called attention to Bucharest's economic policies.

Referring to the recent introduction of a 16% flat rate income tax, Mr Moscovici questioned whether it was social dumping.

One of the most difficult tasks facing Romania, acknowledged by the minister on Wednesday, will be securing the external border of the country.

"We have the longest border with the non-EU countries that any member state has ever had. It is 2000 km long, so its security can't be tackled easily."

Mr Moscovici told journalists he expected a positive reaction in the European parliament when it votes on the treaty.

After the formal act of signing, Romania will send its 35 observers to roam the parliamentary corridors, in order to prepare for the country's full EU membership.

And with this in mind, Bucharest is already encouraging its neighbour Moldova as well as the Balkan countries to "see us as a gate through which they can get to Brussels", said the Romanian Foreign Minister.