Bulgaria and Romania generally meet or would fulfil EU accession requirements and can join the union on time, provided reforms continue, head of the EC Delegation to Bulgaria Dimitris Kourkoulas told a press conference.

Bulgaria is required to take urgent action in six critical areas, Kourkoulas said. Among these is the setting up of proper agriculture administration.

More results are also needed in dealing with organised crime, implementing anti-corruption and anti-fraud measures and strengthening financial control for the future use of structural and cohesion funds.

If progress on the six areas continued to be unsatisfactory, the EC could establish mechanisms for further monitoring, Kourkoulas said.

Bulgaria is ready for accession in 13 more areas as compared to October 2005. These include public procuremement, aviation, excise duties, postal services liberalisation, regional policy legislation, visa policy and customs preparations.

In addition, 12 areas that were previously of serious concern are now categorised as areas that require increased efforts. Among those are the protection of intellectual property rights, institutional and financial management of regional policy structures, Schengen preparations and the management of the future EU external borders.

There was no progress in 21 areas, according to the report. Among those is the commitment to early closure of the four reactors of the Kozlodui nuclear plant.

More in-depth analysis of the European Commission report in The Sofia Echo. Full coverage in Issue 20, on sale starting May 19.