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Romania and Bulgaria are still on track to join the EU on January 1, but Bulgaria must first do more to fight organized crime and corruption and Romania must address agricultural and tax issues, the European Commission (EC) said Tuesday.

 

The two countries' progress will be evaluated again in early October, EC President Jose Manuel Barroso said.

 

"The possibility of being ready in 2007 is doable, but it is for the two countries to deliver. At the same time, the EU needs to deliver a clear signal that it stands ready to honor its commitments," Barroso said.

 

Bulgaria, the less prepared of the two countries, must show clear results in investigating and prosecuting organized crime networks; implement laws for fighting fraud and corruption; do more to prevent money laundering; prevent embezzlement of EU aid; and complete agriculture reforms, the commission said in a progress report.

 

Romania must finish setting up agencies for disbursing EU aid to farmers; raise veterinary standards for livestock and other agricultural reforms; and make its electronic tax administration system interoperable with the EU to allow proper collection of VAT, the report said.

 

Romania Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu welcomed the commission's report.

 

"The report sends two messages. Joining the EU in 2007 is completely doable, and that Romania has made progress in the last seven months and has to continue in the same rhythm and same direction," he said.

 

Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Ivailo Kalfin called the reports balanced and said that the EC's recommendations can be implemented.

 

Bulgaria and Romania are among the most corrupt countries in Europe, according to Transparency International, and they are much poorer than the rest of the 25-nation bloc.

 

One hurdle remaining for both Romania and Bulgaria is the ratification of their EU membership by parliaments of all 25-member states. Germany, France and others have still not ratified the Balkan countries' accession.

 

Western European critics of the EU's expansion say the bloc has not fully dealt with the adhesion of 10 mostly ex-communist countries in 2004 and fear the entry of more nations will hasten the erosion of cherished social welfare benefits.

 

(Chinadaily.com.cn via agencies, May 17, 2006)