...We cheered out loud as we re-entered civilization, crossing the border into Romania. Romania, another former Communist dictatorship is my idea of civilization? The answer is absolutely, because of that tiny little blue flag with yellow stars - the banner of the European Union - at the crossing point. Let me be clear: Romania is not yet a member, and still the contrast with a country like Ukraine was night and day. What had been an hourly ritual of bribes, doling out the three C's - cash, Coke and cigarettes - abruptly ended.
We drove the length of Romania and the breadth of its European Union-accession comrade Bulgaria without once being solicited for a bribe. Romania and Bulgaria have their own problems, but it's doubtful that either would trade places with Ukraine. The difference throughout the drive was clear: Countries on the EU invite list seemed more stable than those outside the velvet rope. Debate always centers on joining the union, but the greater improvement seems to come from the invitation...
Відповіді
2005.10.04 | holland
Враження журналіста New York Times (л)
Meanwhile: Driving the scenic route to EU membershiphttp://www.iht.com/articles/2005/10/03/opinion/edkulish.php
...We cheered out loud as we re-entered civilization, crossing the border into Romania. Romania, another former Communist dictatorship is my idea of civilization? The answer is absolutely, because of that tiny little blue flag with yellow stars - the banner of the European Union - at the crossing point. Let me be clear: Romania is not yet a member, and still the contrast with a country like Ukraine was night and day. What had been an hourly ritual of bribes, doling out the three C's - cash, Coke and cigarettes - abruptly ended.
We drove the length of Romania and the breadth of its European Union-accession comrade Bulgaria without once being solicited for a bribe. Romania and Bulgaria have their own problems, but it's doubtful that either would trade places with Ukraine. The difference throughout the drive was clear: Countries on the EU invite list seemed more stable than those outside the velvet rope. Debate always centers on joining the union, but the greater improvement seems to come from the invitation...