The Chairman of the Liberal group (ALDE) in the European Parliament said he was against Wednesday's discussion with Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn on the progress that Bulgaria and Romania have made towards EU accession, NOVINITE.COM reported.

Graham Watson said such action had "no substance", EUexpands reported.

The commissioner was not supposed to appear in front of the EU Parliament before the publication of the comprehensive reports on both countries that the EU Commission prepares for 16 May. The European Christian democrats (EPP) and part of the socialists MEPs however invited Olli Rehn on 26 April in Brussels for a debate about Romania and Bulgaria EU accession.

Graham Watson on the contrary feels confident already with the process and thinks that his fellow MEPs only want to look like they care about the EU public opinion which is more and more reluctant to the enlargement.

Liberal MEP Annemie Neyts also addressed a letter to the Foreign Affairs Committee and EPP member Elmar Brok in which she expresses the discontent with the action taken.

"In light of the complete lack of consultation in drawing up the oral question ... and, in particular, as the oral question has never been formally adopted, the ALDE Group has asked the sitting services to formally alter the debate on Bulgaria and Romania to a Commission statement, without reference to the oral question", the letter reads.

The oral question concerns the capacity of the acceding countries to cope with the remaining reforms by the end of the year.

The commissioner is also asked whether it considers introducing of a close monitoring system throughout the first three years after accession during which safeguard clauses (already available) could be invoked.