SE Countries in EU

According to the World Bank report, economic situation is the main reason for labor outflow.

More than one million Bulgarians and 1.5 mn Romanians work illegally in EU member-countries, the report states .

According to WB, the problem could be solved if the authorities of the two countries raise the salaries of their workers. Experts warn that Bulgaria and Romania might face labor market crisis if the current trend continues.

The European Commission's 2006 progress report on candidate countries showed a significant divide. SEE countries were found to have moved forward with economic reforms, bringing them closer to EU standards. However, their political and administrative systems have not kept up the pace.

Institutional weaknesses, widespread corruption and unreliable legal systems remain pervasive problems among EU candidate countries in the Balkans, even as regional economies move closer to the bloc's standards. This was one of the key findings of the European Commission's 2006 progress report. While SEE countries are becoming better places to trade and invest, the failure to address political and administrative shortcomings remains a hindrance to further progress towards accession.

When Mr. Leonard Orban, already European Commissioner, evoked the need for the urgent adoption of a post-accession strategy, submitting to attention his own project existing in this respect, which he had elaborated when he was Secretary of State in the Ministry of Integration, Mr. Sebastian Vladescu, Minister of Finance, seemed to be unaware of the project and, what is more, he shifted to Parliament the discussion over such a strategy. Subsequently, the Government - which appeared to have been spared this task by Mr. Vladescu - drafted quickly a post-accession strategy especially that the Democrat Party as well rushed to present one. PSD also announces that it has an alternative strategy.