Bulgaria's EU bid is still suffering from endemic corruption, which is giving the EU pause for thought before it allows the Balkan country to join, the Guardian wrote on Monday.

Sofia is expected to be admitted, but faces call to get tough on crime and dishonesty.

In a broad article exampling the death of a 30-year-old woman while giving birth, the British newspaper opines the country is dogging with corruption on the eve of the rule on when and how it will become a member of the Union.

On Tuesday, May 16, EU Enlargement Commissioner is largely expected to say that Bulgaria - along with northerly neighbouring Romania - should be admitted to the bloc on January 1.

Yet he is expected to demand greater action against corruption and organised crime, particularly in Bulgaria.

Widespread corruption in Bulgaria's public services has been a serious cause of concern for EU officials deciding whether the country is fit to join the union, the Guardian said.

Progress has stalled in Bulgaria in the past year, mainly because - according to the newspaper - the Socialists took months to form a coalition government after unseating the centre right last summer.

It adds efforts to stamp out corruption in public services, including the criminal justice system, and a clampdown on organised crime, have suffered.

Bulgaria's Interior Minister Rumen Petkov was quoted as freely acknowledging that his country cannot be given a completely clean bill of health by Brussels.

"This is a very difficult road," Minister Petkov said of the reforms demanded by the EU. "It is very important for us to be able to show the public and to our European partners that this path is the only way."

A series of "red flags" is likely to be imposed on Bulgaria and Romania by the European Commission as the price for allowing them to join the EU on next January. Brussels hopes to speed up reforms by warning the two countries they could be excluded from full EU affairs in flagged areas.

Bulgaria is expected to face red flags in justice and home affairs after failing to tackle effectively crime and corruption in public services.

Romania may face restrictions in areas such as food safety.

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