Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Romania Today
EU Membership: Pros & Cons
After joining the European Union in 2007, Romania was told it could access up to €20 bil-
lion in aid until 2013 in order to catch up with more advanced fellow members. According
to EU monitors much of that money has not been spent on the promised development pro-
grams and, five years after it joined the EU, Romania still has villages without electricity or
running water, and a mere 300km of highway. Conversely, new EU regulations are also en-
dangering classic aspects of Romanian life, such as free-range roaming of livestock and the
selling of unpasteurised cheese by the roadside, but typically - like the 'no smoking' law,
which has had little effect on the average Romanian who lights up pretty much all the time
except during sleep - both still endure.
Pressure from the EU to address concerns
such as pollution, corruption, destitute farmers
and poor conditions for orphans has shown
mixed results. Encouragingly at least, the num-
ber of children in public institutions has been
significantly decreasing since foster-care facilit-
ies have been introduced, and many orphanages
have been forced to close. Another plus, the
presence of the EU stamp of approval has cata-
pulted Romania to the top of consideration for
European companies looking to relocate facilities in an effort to cut operating costs. Ro-
»Number of people bitten by stray dogs in
Bucharest (2010): 8348
»Average percentage of alcohol in Ţuică (plum
brandy), the national drink: 50%
»EU country with the highest road mortality rate
(2009): Romania
»The average age a Romanian male/female marries
is 31/27 years old.
