Bulgaria and Romania are expected to escape European Union sanctions this month in spite of their failure to crack down on corruption and organised crime since joining the club in January, the Financial Times reported, citing insiders.
Although no final decisions have been taken, several well-placed Brussels officials told the FT that Bulgaria and Romania will be told to speed up reforms but sanctions will be kept in reserve.
The two countries joined the Union on January 1 under unprecedented scrutiny. Bulgaria was set six "benchmarks" for reform, including the fight against corruption and organised crime, while Romania faced four, mainly relating to corruption.
But lawyers in Brussels have concluded that sanctions - namely non-recognition of court rulings in either country - could hit innocent parties living or doing business there. Withholding of EU funds to protect against the risk of fraud is deemed legally difficult.