As was the case with the eight Central and Eastern European countries which joined the EU on 1 May 2004, one general and two specific safeguard clauses (for the internal market and justice/home affairs) were agreed with Bulgaria and Romania which, in specific situations, the Commission can use to launch certain measures to avoid particular types of distortion in these areas. Such measures have to date been used in the fields of justice and home affairs, agriculture and air-transport safety.

Monitoring report of the European Commission on the state of preparedness for EU membership of Bulgaria and Romania, 26 September 2006 Following accession, Bulgaria and Romania will participate as equal partners in the organs and committees of the European Union. The number of MEPs from each country (currently Bulgaria 18, Romania 35, from 2009 Bulgaria 17, Romania 33) and the weighting of votes in the Council (currently Bulgaria 10, Romania 14) will reflect their respective share of the total population of the European Union. Bulgaria and Romania have currently had active observer status in the EU organs and committees (that is to say, the right to take the floor, but no voting rights).

Accession will also see Bulgaria and Romania become part of the European internal market, meaning an end to checks on goods at internal borders. Checks on persons will nevertheless continue for the moment, even though freedom of movement of persons is guaranteed with accession. Germany will use the options open to it in the Accession Treaty and limit the freedom of movement of workers and some cross-border services (construction industry, interior decorating, certain cleaning sectors) for a transitional period - two years with an option for extension to five or seven years. This is in line with the ruling for nationals of the eight Central and Eastern European countries which joined during the last wave of enlargement.

By Federal Foreign Office - Germany