It seems EU-aspirant Bulgaria and Romania will receive an OK on their membership's bids, according to Italian news agency ANSA.

It is largely expected that the date of accession - 1 January 2007 - will be confirmed, but on some conditions.

Reform progress has been steady, but rumours of a delay have surfaced as the hopefuls' fight against corruption and organised crime tapered off. Sofia and Bucharest will also face public disenchantment with continued expansion of the EU25.

Some eight months before the two countries are due to enter Europe's club, they perhaps their last big hurdle - the European Commission's assessment on whether they are finally fit to become members.

Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn will have the final word on Tuesday when submitting a pivotal progress report to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The document that EU leaders might ultimately act on.

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