When Robert Zoellick, the US deputy secretary of state, visited Brussels last week, one of his ports of call was the European parliament's foreign affairs committee. That Mr Zoellick should find time on a whirlwind European tour to discuss world affairs with low-profile MEPs is testimony to how far the parliament has come in terms of asserting its foreign policy credentials.

Further evidence was provided yesterday, when MEPs only agreed to endorse plans to grant European Union membership to Bulgaria and Romania after a wrangle to secure clearer budgetary powers and a stronger role in a possible decision to postpone their accession date, should the two fail to meet their reform pledges.