Germany's parliamentary fractions of the Christian Democrats and the Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU), the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SDP), the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and the Greens agreed upon a joint declaration to be presented before the ratification procedure of Bulgaria's and Romania's EU accession treaty is launched.

The online version of Spiegel magazine said that the declaration would suggest the introduction of some safeguard clauses after the EU entry of the two countries.

Germany should not accept the decision of Bulgarian and Romanian courts until reform of the judiciary is completed, the declaration said.

The lack of efficient justice reforms featured among the main concerns listed in the final European Commission report on the readiness of Bulgaria and Romania to become EU members, Spiegel reported.

Chancellor Angela Merkel said that she would demand the introduction of safeguard clauses in the justice sector. European enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn said that the European Commission would take into consideration Germany's request.