Postponing Integration into the European Union:

Upon independence in 1864, the Eastern European country of Romania has battled with political conflicts, economic hardships, internal strife, and the influence of foreign powers. Becoming a puppet government of the Soviet Union after World War II, Romania spent forty-two years under the grasp of Communism and the oppressive dictator Nicholae Ceausescu. When the iron curtain rose across Eastern Europe, Romania began a violent and challenging transition to a democratic form of government in 1989. With the fall of Communism, the world also experienced a rise in size, power and influence of the European Union. Membership in the EU has provided a great number of benefits for its member countries while the non-members, mainly Eastern European countries like Romania, seek to join the Union as quickly as possible.

While dealing with the difficult transition to democracy, Romania also faces the daunting task of developing aspects of the country to abide to the necessary guidelines for EU accession. Currently, Romania is set to join the Union in January of 2007. Recently though, the EU has faced many inhibiting and grave problems, such as a lack of confidence in the institutions, an overburden of duties, and difficulties integrating the ten countries that were granted membership in 2004. Romania also exhibits impediments in the areas necessary for entrance into the Union.

This paper will analyze the changes Romania needs to make regarding its economy, including the agricultural industry, foreign investment policies, trade policies, human rights legislation, and corruption. It will then discuss the current state of the European Union. From this analysis, it will draw conclusions on whether the 2007 date for integration should be upheld.

Historical Background Like many former Communist countries, Romania's past plays a pivotal role as the basis for its struggles today. In the two decades following the cessation of the Second World War, a series of societal and governmental changes took place which significantly tainted the country's repute. The Communists installed a puppet regime in 1945, developing a totalitarian society in which they claimed that the state held explicit control over all aspects of society, from the economy to religion and even family. When Nicholae Ceausescu came into power in 1966, he consolidated his power into a tyrannical dictatorship. Under his strict policies and rule, the country developed into a tightly closed society and faced extreme repression and international isolation. The fall of Communism across Eastern Europe, as well as Romania's enormous foreign debt, failing economy, and failing industries, inspired Romania's people to rise against Ceausescu and his repressive rule. The dictator was executed on December 25, 1989, and the National Salvation Front took over rule of Romania, beginning the first stages towards