EU Commission backs Bulgaria, Romania '07 EU entry

BRUSSELS, Sep 26 (Reuters) The European Commission gave the green light today for Bulgaria and Romania to join the European Union in January, rather than a year later, and set tough conditions for their entry, the EU executive said.

''They have made the decision. It is approved,'' a Commission official told Reuters.

The Commission's recommendation needs to be approved by EU leaders in October, but this is not considered a hurdle.

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