AP HDD 2

Romanian President Traian Basescu, left, attends together with European Parliament President Josep Borrell, right, and other EU officials a ceremony at the government headquarters for raising the European Union flag in Bucharest Romania Sunday Dec. 31, 2006. On Jan. 1, 2007 Romania and Bulgaria bring 30 million people into the European Union, expanding the bloc's membership to 27 nations. But the two ex-communist Balkan nations _ hailing from one of the poorest corners of Europe _ are joining under strict conditions and at a time when EU leaders are putting the brakes on further enlargement. (AP Photo)