In its 16 May 2006 monitoring report, the Commission delivered the final recommendation about the date of accession, but requested further progress from Bulgaria and Romania.

[63] The 26 September 2006 monitoring report concluded that both countries were sufficiently prepared to meet the political, economic and acquis criteria.

It recommended against postponement of accession[64] (instead of delaying membership it was decided to address the shortcomings through a subsequent cooperation and verification mechanism).

Paragraph 3 makes Protocol that sets the conditions and arrangements for admission and its annexes integral part of the Treaty itself.

Thus it will provide the legal basis of the membership Bulgaria and Romania from 1 January 2007 until the Constitution of Europe is finally implemented in its present form (if ever).

Paragraph 3 arranges substitution of the Act with the Protocol upon the entry into force of the Constitution of Europe and legal consequences of this switch.

Article 6 states that the Treaty exists as a single original drawn in all official languages of the European Union.

Each of these texts is equally authentic and the original will be deposited with the Italian government, while all parties will receive certified copies.