European officials and market economy

The European officials do not see eye to eye on Romania’s getting the functional market economy status from the EU. While the new Italian ambassador in Romania, Stefano Ronca, is optimistic about it, the head of the European Commission Delegation in Bucharest, Jonathan Scheele, is much more reserved. Ronca, whose country has taken over the EU presidency for six months, says Romania may be awarded the functional market economy status in the annual report of the European Commission. Jonathan Scheele in his turn feels it is too soon to say what the country report of the European Commission will contain, considering it is due for release on November 5. “The key where the economy is concerned is not having the functional market economy status granted in 2003; the very important thing is to have it acknowledged before the negotiations are over. Without this status, there is no conclusion of the EU accession negotiations,” Scheele was quoted as saying by Mediafax. ZF