Romania doesn’t have an alternative for the EU, but the EU needs Romania as well. Is Romania ready for the European club? Is Romania ready for this change? These are wrong questions, because no one is actually interested in these things!
Although the basic tenor of this article hits the point perfectly, Romania and Bulgaria have much left to do to develop their rotten systems into something that is compatible to societies in old and new Europe. Therefore fast change is nessecary. Personally I was in favor to put on more European pressure on both countries to accelerate their reforms. Those reforms are not only in the common interest of Europe but also in the well understood own interest of Romania and Bulgaria.
Eastern Europe Ping!
Still, one has to wonder about the "social privileges obtained by this almost aristocratic workforce" and the realization that Capitalism does not mix well with socialism. More importantly the fact that the cheaper products from Asia are the direct result of a labor force that enjoys no almost no social privilege when compared to Western Europe. The part about no bombs being strapped to their bellies is just icing on the cake.