As the EU grapples with new enlargement rounds, including Ukraine and the Western Balkans, the experience of Bulgaria and Romania offers valuable lessons. It proves that with the right support and determination, integration can work—not just for Western Europe, but for the entire continent.
By MEP Dan Barna and MEP Ilhan Kyuchyuk
Two decades after signing their EU Accession Treaty, Bulgaria and Romania stand as powerful examples of how EU integration can catalyse profound political, economic, and social transformation. Both nations have emerged not only as beneficiaries of European integration but also as vital contributors to the EU’s strategic capacity in times of crisis. While challenges persist, the benefits of membership for our two countries are substantial, measurable, and widely felt.
The path to EU membership was paved with ambitious reforms, many championed by the liberal governments in Bulgaria and Romania. These governments prioritised economic liberalisation and institutional modernisation, ensuring that Bulgaria and Romania met the stringent requirements for EU membership. Their commitment to European integration exemplifies how visionary liberal leadership and political will can guide a country toward full EU membership.
The most visible success of EU membership for Bulgaria and Romania lies in their economic progress. Since joining the EU in 2007, both countries have experienced substantial GDP growth. Their respective GDPs per capita (in purchasing power standards) have almost doubled relative to the EU average, bolstered by access to the single market, structural funds, and foreign direct investment. These figures reflect not only faster economic growth compared to Western Europe but also significant improvements in living standards, employment, and public services.
EU structural and cohesion funds have been instrumental in this transformation. These investments have supported critical infrastructure—including roads, railways, water systems, and digital connectivity—and upgraded public institutions, education, and healthcare. Simultaneously, our citizens benefit from the freedoms of the Internal Market. The EU’s freedom of movement has enabled millions of Bulgarians and Romanians to work, study, trade, invest, and live in other EU countries.
EU membership has anchored Bulgaria and Romania more firmly within the European democratic and security architecture. As NATO members and EU border countries, both nations now play pivotal roles in regional and continental stability during unprecedented geopolitical crises. Amid these challenges, our countries achieved full accession to the Schengen area earlier this year. Additionally, both countries contribute to EU decision-making on enlargement, particularly concerning the Western Balkans, leveraging their experience to promote regional integration.
To be sure, EU membership has not resolved all problems. Both countries face contemporary challenges: political polarization, setbacks in the rule of law, demographic decline, and regional disparities. Liberal values are challenged by both foreign and domestic actors, testing the unity and resilience of our societies. Despite attempts to amplify polarization and division, the reality is far more resilient—public approval of EU membership remains strong. With a clear memory of their totalitarian past, our societies understand that liberal values are essential for safeguarding democracy and preserving freedom.
The accession of Bulgaria and Romania in 2007 marked not just a geographic expansion of the EU, but a deepening of the Union’s core mission: to promote peace, prosperity, and democracy across the continent. Our journey since then—while not without obstacles—demonstrates how sustained engagement, conditionality, and solidarity can yield remarkable progress.
As the EU grapples with new enlargement rounds, including Ukraine and the Western Balkans, the experience of Bulgaria and Romania offers valuable lessons. It proves that with the right support and determination, integration can work—not just for Western Europe, but for the entire continent.