The European Union accepted the premature accession of Romania and Bulgaria in order to avoid the expanding of the Russian influence, but the decision came at a cost, International Herald Tribune reads. The main problems are the risk to see a large share of the 11 billion Euros allocated as EU funds for Bulgaria ending in the pockets of corrupt persons, while Romania causes worries because of its Justice situation. The accession of the two countries changed the rules of the game and made difficult the accession of other countries.

After the relationship between Russia and the EU worsened, the improvement of the relation with the Eastern states may become a target for the Union, but the accession may not be an inspired strategy, because EU no longer takes such chances. Romania and Bulgaria are the explanation, IHT reads.

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