On June 28 the French national assembly ratified Bulgaria and Romania's EU accession treaty.

French foreign minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said that the fifth EU enlargement was a historic moment for Europe's unification, Bulgarian National Radio reported. The two country's entry would have a positive geopolitical effect on the imposition of a single European Constitution, he added.

Hervet de Charet, MP and former foreign minister said that Bulgaria and Romania's EU entry was a way to reconcile with Europe's past. The two countries' accession would be a bridge between the ancient cultures of the Thracians and Slavs and Europe's modern present, he added.

French MPs said that they were optimistic about Bulgaria and Romania's expected accession. Since the two countries were traditionally good partners with France, their EU entry would be of general interest, the MPs added.

The ratification will come into force in October after it is passed by the senate and receives the approval of president Jacques Chirac.

Bulgarian ambassador in Paris Irina Bokova was present at the sitting of the national assembly.