The main obstacles on Bulgaria's way to EU accession remained money laundering and human trafficking.

According to the article, the European Commission report from May 16 meant Bulgaria needed to take urgent action in fighting organised crime if it wanted to join the EU in 2007. The Independent said the report 'painted and alarming picture' of Bulgaria as one of 'Europe's centres of human trafficking'.

Statistics show over 170 contract killings might have taken place in the last 14 years. Very few of these were successfully investigated, the report said. Other problems listed in the report included a 'very low' success rate in prosecuting corruption and human trafficking.

What the Independent called a 'litany of failings' included weak control over EU fund administration.

Despite the problems, EU was likely to admit the two countries in 2007, the article said. This would give Bulgaria and Romania a stimulus for speeding up the reforms pace. The Independent said the most likely outcome was on on-time accession with some restrictions like limited access to EU funds. A special monitoring system might also be required during the first three years after Bulgaria joins the union.