EU accession institutions scrutinised

European Integration Ministry officials have stated that the institutions involved in negotiating chapter 6 on competition will have to provide information, by June, on exactly how they are applying the acquis in the field of competition and state aid. The decision was prompted by an analysis of the technical consultations carried out together with the European Commission. It will concern institutions such as the Competition Council; the Economy and Trade Ministry; the Finance Ministry; the Ministry of Transport, Constructions and Tourism; and the State Assets Resolution Authority. Romania has to finalise the chapters still being negotiated during the second half this year in order for it to join the European Union on January 1, 2007. The same date was similarly set for Bulgaria, which recently announced the closure of all negotiation chapters. ZF