Bulgaria and Romania's EU accession would be a great success for the union, EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn said at the opening of a business forum in Athens.

The meeting, organised by The Economist magazine, features representatives from Bulgaria, Greece and Romania, Bulgarian National Radio reported. The forum aims at improving relations between the countries in view of Bulgaria and Romania's expected EU entry.

Rehn said that the European Commission would be ready with its final report on the two countries' accession readiness by October. The report is expected to state clearly EC's recommendation on Bulgaria and Romania' accession date.

According to Rehn, the two countries should make further efforts to reform their judicial systems and crime-fight structures. Bulgaria and Romania had already achieved significant progress in the judicial reforms and would prove valuable and stable EU partners, Rehn added.

European Integration Minister Meglena Kouneva, who was also present at the meeting, said that the Cabinet had the will to execute EU reforms and fulfill all engagements as future EU member state.

Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev, Regional Development Minister Assen Gagauzov and Finance Minister Plamen Oresharski will also take part in the forum.