Bulgaria and Romania have failed to make sufficient inroads against corruption and organised crime since their accession to the European Union in January, 2007, according to a European Commission report, due to be published Tuesday.

Both countries "have made some progress since accession in further reforming the judiciary and fighting corruption, and in Bulgaria's fight against organised crime, yet further concrete results are needed," says the Commission's annual report on EU enlargement, seen by AFP.

The report, which focuses on the Balkan hopefuls for EU membership and Turkey, points out that among the seven nations striving for membership in the European Union, only Croatia may be ready to join before the end of the decade.

Along with Turkey, Croatia began formal EU accession talks in October 2005 ahead of all other Western Balkans nations.

The European Commission issued June 27 the progress report on the state of justice, corruption and organised crime in Bulgaria and Romania, warning them to step up their fight against corruption.

The critical report gave the two newcomers another year to meet the basic EU membership rules and shore up reforms.

The main accent in the report on Bulgaria was on the justice system, the fight against corruption and organized crime, but the EC also reviewed the situation regarding other areas of concern - agricultural funding, food safety and aviation safety.

The Commission will review progress in these areas and report in early 2008.

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