Bulgaria, Romania & EU – “A second-hand integration process?”

This seminar is scheduled to take place in Bucharest, Romania, 16th-19th of September 2004. The main topics addressed are:

• History and culture in order to set the background of the discussion.
• Relationship between Romania and Bulgaria in the past and present.
• Common interest: EU membership?
• Motivations for Bulgaria and Romania to join EU, motivations of EU to welcome Romania and Bulgaria in EU: Identity, peace and stability, economics...
• Differences and similarities in the two countries in terms of relations to the EU, success in transition etc.
• Discussions about their EU membership inside Bulgaria, Romania and EU: Which aspects (politicians, media, history...) do influence the people’s opinions and what is currently undertaken in terms of enlightenment?
• Simulation: EU accession negotiations (including preparatory coordination meeting of Bulgarian and Romanian delegation).