By Daisy Ayliffe - 1st May 2006
Last minute fears over corruption and organised crime could delay Bulgarian EU entry.
Officials close to EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn, according to press reports, hint that Brussels could step up the pressure on Sofia by delaying its final assessment until the autumn.
The European commission could also do the same thing with Romania – but Rehn has made it clear that Bulgaria is providing the greatest cause for concern as the two reach the final strait.
There had been "very few investigations and prosecutions" of criminal gangs, Rehn declared in the European parliament last week.
The commissioner’s report on Romania and Bulgaria is scheduled for May 16.
“I have not heard that Bulgarian entry could be delayed,” a Bulgarian diplomat told this website.
“We are waiting for May 16. We It is not up to us to decide when we enter, we have done all we can and are now waiting to hear what the commission report.”
Another compromise arrangement could see the commission suspending specific rights relating to shortcomings - for example in the area of food safety.
In spite of Bulgaria’s apparent slips, Rehn has insisted his goal remains that both countries should join the EU next January.
Fifteen countries have already ratified the accession treaty with Bulgaria and Romania and Germany and France are in the process of doing so.
“The jury is still out until May 16,” the commissioner said last week.
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