EU’s steel conditions pose a problem for Romania
Romanian government officials have recently announced that the conditions set by the European Union (EU) for the accession of Romania to the EU pose a problem for Romanian steel sector. As previously reported by SteelOrbis, European Commission on October 6, 2004 published a progress report on Romania's accession to the European Union. The report called for several issues to be fulfilled by Romania, including lifting of steel subsidies. The officials stated that EU demand regarding the subsidies will have a negative impact on the Romanian steel industry as it will lead to reduction in steel production, adding that it may even result in the closure of certain mills. Moreover, under the EU progress report on Romania's accession to the EU, Romania will reduce the number of steel workers by 8'500 out of the total 52'000 by 2008.