Romania's association with European Union. Integration perspectives

The paper focuses on the impact of the European Agreement on Romania's Association with European Community and, in particular, of its commercial part, entered into force on May, 1993, under an Interim Agreement. For Romania, a country in transition toward the market economy, under the circumstances of significant institutional changes and economy restructuring, despite the asymmetry of tariff concessions with EU, the first effects ended in trade deficit increase and major shift in geographical orientation of the foreign trade flows. The paper draws attention that, as regards the EU integration perspectives, arises the question of integration between countries with a significantly different level of development, this challenge requiring for Romania, to find the theoretical and practical solutions which would make it possible, by continuing reforms and structural adjustments, increasing competitiveness, diminishing the economic and technological gaps.