European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso said after a meeting in Brussels with Romanian prime minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu that a decision on the introduction of safeguard clauses for Bulgaria and Romania has not been taken yet.

Bulgaria and Romania expect EC evaluation of the progress they made in problematic areas. EC decided to monitor the process until reforms in these areas become evident.

French Le Petit Journal reported that the two countries were threatened with the introduction of a safeguard clause for the justice and home affairs sectors. Such clause would deny the countries some of their rights within the union.

Barroso said that internal affairs will not be commented on, as each member country experiences some political turbulence.

The report for the two countries will be published on June 27.

Evaluation will be unbiased and precise, Barroso said.

Le Petit Journal reported that Bulgaria and Romania are expected to avoid sanctions despite the slow fight against corruption and organised crime.

Financial Times reported that a failure of the two countries to meet all requirements could affect the enlargement process.