UPSC Prelims 2007 Q31: Current Affairs – International Organisations & Groupings
Which one of the following pairs of countries joined the European Union in 2007?
- (a) Bulgaria and Romania
- (b) Bulgaria and Belgium
- (c) Romania and Slovenia
- (d) Hungary and Croatia
Answer: (a) Bulgaria and Romania
Explanation
EU enlargement, 2007
| Pair option | Joined EU in 2007? |
|---|---|
| Bulgaria and Romania | Yes — 1 January 2007 |
| Bulgaria and Belgium | No — Belgium is a founding member |
| Romania and Slovenia | No — Slovenia joined in 2004 |
| Hungary and Croatia | No — Hungary joined 2004, Croatia in 2013 |
Bulgaria and Romania joined the European Union on 1 January 2007, in the EU's fifth enlargement wave, bringing total membership to 27 countries.
Answer: (a) Bulgaria and Romania.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU on 1 January 2007.
- (b) Incorrect. Belgium is a founding EU member, not a 2007 entrant.
- (c) Incorrect. Slovenia had already joined in the 2004 enlargement, not 2007.
- (d) Incorrect. Neither Hungary (2004) nor Croatia (2013) joined in 2007.
Key point
Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU on 1 January 2007.
Remember
EU's 2007 enlargement: Bulgaria and Romania.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the 2004 EU enlargement wave (10 countries, including Hungary and Slovenia) with the smaller 2007 wave (just Bulgaria and Romania).
- Mixing up Croatia's much later (2013) EU accession with this 2007 round.
- Assuming Belgium, a founding member, was a recent entrant.
Exam tip
2007 EU enlargement = exactly two countries: Bulgaria and Romania.
Sources
- European Union — Treaty concerning the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union (signed 25 April 2005, in force 1 January 2007)
- European Commission — The 2007 enlargement: Bulgaria and Romania