Under EU Surveillance

Tariceanu, speaking to reporters after meeting with Merkel in Berlin, insisted that conditions for Romania's and Bulgaria's planned January 1, 2007 EU accession were identical to those applied in the "big bang" enlargement when ten new members were admitted in 2004.

Romania and Bulgaria were not being given tougher treatment under requirements that their progress on reforming justice and internal affairs continue to be monitored, he insisted.

"The safeguard clauses are applied to old members. So we have the same treatment," Tariceanu said, adding: "Don't consider Romania or even Bulgaria being a second class member."

Under the terms for accession to the EU bloc, regular reports will be filed to Brussels on Romanian and Bulgarian compliance with EU rules. Safeguard clauses will allow the EU to withhold aid funds if either country fails to adhere to treaty obligations. The EU can also ban the import of goods from both countries if they fail to meet EU standards.

Officials in Brussels say that while safeguard clauses apply to all member states, they are being especially applied in the cases of Romania and Bulgaria.

Germany's presidency may be tough on new members

Merkel warned that her government may demand extra measures from Romania and Bulgaria when it takes over the rotating EU presidency in January to improve justice and home affairs standards prior to the new year admission of both countries.

The German chancellor told reporters she had asked European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso to report to Berlin in late December on whether both Romania and Bulgaria have rectified what she termed "deficits in interior and justice policies."

"How the Commission reports to us ... will determine whether Germany demands any measures or not," said Merkel. She did not specify what steps Berlin might seek from Bucharest and Sofia.

Last week Germany's lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, voted in favor of allowing Romania and Bulgaria to join the EU and Merkel said she was confident the Bundesrat upper house would do the same later this month. "Romania has made great efforts to join the EU," she said.

Romanian leader accepts EU skepticism

Tariceanu admitted it was necessary to create confidence in the old EU states regarding Romania and Bulgaria's implementation of European standards.

Turning to the question of further EU enlargement including potential accession candidates Croatia, Turkey and Macedonia, Tariceanu said it was clear there was reluctance to take in more states after the bloc expands to 27 members with the admission of Romania and Bulgaria. "Probably Europe needs a break now," he said.

But Tariceanu stressed that applicant states needed to given a European perspective to keep up incentives for building stronger democratic institutions and free markets.

"Croatia ... is a country that from my point of view can be prepared to join very soon," he said. "It is not the case for the others."

Turkey was "the most complicated situation" said the Romanian leader who nevertheless hailed Ankara's progress. "If they feel rejected there will be a huge possibility to see Turkey turning to another type of behavior (given its) geographical position," said Tariceanu. "So we have to be very open when considering Turkey as a future partner of the European Union."

Tariceanu already a constitution fan

When asked on his views on the EU constitution, the Romanian leader said he rejected calls by the Dutch government to radically slim down and rename the failed document in order to get it approved. "I don't think this is the solution, frankly speaking," he said. Romania approved the treaty under terms for membership.

But he admitted it would be "quite complicated" to find a way to win approval for the constitution which needs a green light from all EU members to enter into force.