Comprehensive Monitoring Report

Contents
	Еxecutive summary
	Introduction
	Political Criteria
	Economic Criteria
	Commitments and Requirements arising from the Accession Negotiations
	Annexes

The accession negotiations with Bulgaria were successfully concluded on 14 December 2004. After the Commission’s favourable opinion, the European Parliament’s assent and the Council decision on the admission of Bulgaria, the Accession Treaty was signed on 25 April 2005. The ratification process by all 25 Member States is underway. Bulgaria ratified the Treaty in May 2005. The Treaty envisages accession on 1 January 2007.

In the 2004 Strategy Paper on progress in the enlargement process, the Commission stated it would continue to closely monitor Bulgaria’s preparations for membership. This monitoring, which has intensified after the closure of negotiations, will continue until accession.

In December 2004, the European Council concluded on Bulgaria that the European Union will continue to monitor closely Bulgaria's preparations and achievements, including the effective implementation of the commitments undertaken in all areas of the acquis, and in particular in the area of Justice and Home Affairs. To this end the Commission will continue to submit annual reports on Bulgaria's progress towards accession, together with recommendations if appropriate.

This report assesses Bulgaria’s preparations for membership. It identifies the remaining gaps in policies, legislation and its implementation and identifies the steps to be taken. The report contains three main parts.

• The first part briefly describes political developments and assesses the state of affairs as regards the political issues which were identified as in need of further improvement in the 2004 report.

• The second part briefly describes economic developments and assesses the economic issues which were identified as in need of further improvement in the 2004 report.

• The third part gives an overview of where Bulgaria stands in implementing all commitments and requirements arising from the accession negotiations for each acquis chapter, both in terms of legislation and implementation.

This report reflects the situation as of 30 September 2005.

Numerous sources of information have been used to compile this report. Bulgaria was invited to provide information on its state of preparedness. The Report also draws on information provided by Bulgaria within the framework of the Association Agreement and the accession negotiations, as well as on peer reviews that have taken place to assess its administrative capacity in specific areas. Council deliberations and European Parliament reports(1) and resolutions have been taken into account in drafting it. Where relevant, the Commission has also drawn on assessments made by various international organisations, the international financial institutions, and by non-governmental organisations.



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(1) The European Parliament rapporteur for Bulgaria is Mr Geoffrey Van Orden