A very unusual even
29.04.2006
A British civil engineering company, Scanmoor, wanted to be involved in the renovation of Sibiu's Station Square,
desperately in need of a face-lift. Scanmoor bid 12.2m euros, but they lost to a German company which bid 15.7m euros.
"Surprisingly, the highest bidder won the tender, which is very unusual even for Romania," project manager Cornel Danila complains. "All of this looked like it happened behind closed doors, and we're considering going to the courts."
But Scanmoor has won four other contracts, so it is not giving up on Romania, despite its doubts.
Romania (5) -- Analyses-- April-June 2006
Foreign investors
29.04.2006
Foreign investors are also watching closely an unprecedented crackdown on high-level corruption. The man in charge is 39-year- old Daniel Morar, Romania's new chief anti-corruption prosecutor.
Under constant EU pressure, Romania has gone much further in tackling corruption at the top than Bulgaria.
Foreign Minister Mihai-Razvan Ungureanu:
"Membership of the Council of Europe, then Nato and now of the EU have had the same effect," he says, "as a whip on the back of someone who's been historically lazy.
"But I think we are in a position now to resume our development from within the EU.
"I don't think that leaving Romania aside would make Romania prosperous or safe. After working so hard and doing our best to prove how determined we are, I think we deserve a good hug and a welcome."
Romania expects to receive a hug in the European Commission report in mid-May, which has to be endorsed by EU leaders in June. But the welcome will be less warm than for the other former communist countries.
Even if they join next January, Romania and Bulgaria will remain under close scrutiny in the first three years and some of their membership rights may be curtailed, unless both countries keep up the momentum for change.
Bulgarian