According to a key strategy paper, the European Commission will recommend this week that Bulgaria and Romania are fit to join the bloc in 2007 if they implement agreed reforms.
However, the report by the EU executive proposed a 'safeguard clause' that could delay the two countries' entry by one year if economic and administrative reforms stall.
The strategy paper, which must still be endorsed by EU governments in December, confirmed that entry talks with Croatia would start early next year.
However, it is stressed in the report that the talks could be suspended if the former Yugoslav state breached 'the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms'.
