Romania, Bulgaria to get billions from EU

The European Commission will this week unveil a joint financial support package worth between €9 billion and €10 billion over…

The European Commission will this week unveil a joint financial support package worth between €9 billion and €10 billion over three years for EU candidates Romania and Bulgaria.

A Romanian official said Bulgaria was expected to get a little more than one-third of the amount and Romania the rest. Once the packages are presented, the two countries will have a chance to negotiate the exact amount.

"It will be a very good financial plan, it's fair and does not discriminate between us and other Eastern Europe states that join this year," said the official who asked not to be named.

Romania's Foreign Minister Mr Mircea Geoana said last month the package was "exceptionally good news", adding its announcement was a positive signal on the membership negotiations for both Romania and Bulgaria.