SOFIA, May 16 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission (EC) postponed at the last minute its final recommendation on the EU membership of Bulgaria and Romania, and urged the two countries tospeed up reforms before their planned accession on Jan. 1, 2007, Sofia News Agency reported on Tuesday.

    In a keenly awaited progress report, the EU executive said Bulgaria and Romania would have to wait until the last minute to find out whether they could join the bloc in 2007, or have to waitanother year, the report said.

    During Tuesday's session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, EC President Jose Barroso said the Commission would review the situation of the two countries in October 2006, by the latest, to see whether 2007 is still do-able.

    "Romania and Bulgaria should be ready to join the EU in 2007 ifthey address outstanding issues," Barroso said.

    He called on Bulgaria to show more tangible results in tacklinghigh-level corruption and crime, and in demonstrating the independence of the judiciary.

    Since the Commission's last progress report last October, Bulgaria has reduced the number of red flags, or "areas of seriousconcern" to six down from 16. Romania has four problem areas left.

    The EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn also praised the efforts of both Bulgaria and Romania to meet the conditions for membership, but said they needed to step up efforts in the fight against corruption and organized crime.

    "Both Bulgaria and Romania must work harder to improve human rights and the rights of minorities," the EU chief for enlargementsaid.

    Rehn also urged swifter ratification of the Accession Treaty ofBulgaria and Romania by the EU countries whose signatures remainedpending. To date, 17 EU member states have ratified the key accord.

    Barroso and Rehn will travel to Sofia and Bucharest on Tuesday evening to offer "clear messages" and encouragement to the two candidate countries, according to the report. Enditem