Bulgaria and Romania received the green light on Tuesday to join the European Union in January, rather than a year later, but under the toughest terms imposed on any new entrants.
In a recommendation on what could be the EU's last expansion for years, the European Commission listed reforms the Balkan duo must complete to avoid being deprived early on of full membership benefits, including some of their huge EU aid.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said: 'Accession of Bulgaria and Romania will mark a historic achievement ... which further pursues the reunification of our European family.'
EU leaders are to approve the recommendation in October. France, Germany, Denmark and Belgium have yet to ratify the accession treaty, but this is unlikely to be a hurdle.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev said: 'This is the genuine and final fall of the Berlin Wall for Bulgaria.'
Yesterday, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said that once Romania and Bulgaria have joined, the EU should not enlarge further until it has completed constitutional reform.
The countries will be obliged to report regularly on progress in reforms and may face sanctions after entry unless the commission deems their performance satisfactory.
Both states will have to complete mechanisms to allocate billions of euros in farm subsidies and regional aid. If they do not, Brussels may freeze part of the funds.
Bulgaria will be required to amend its constitution to remove ambiguity about the independence and accountability of the judicial system. It must also adopt new laws to improve the transparency and efficiency of the judicial process.
Romania must strengthen its Superior Council of Magistracy and establish, as promised, 'an integrity agency' that will verify the assets of senior state officials.
In the farm sector, the EU may keep its ban on pork produced in both countries unless they improve measures to fight swine fever. Some restrictions may also apply to their milk sectors.
Romania and Bulgaria will add about 30 million citizens to the EU's present population of more than 450 million.
UK drawing up immigration proposals
Britain's Immigration Minister Liam Byrne has said his government is drawing up proposals for the gradual access of Bulgarians and Romanians to the UK.
Mr Byrne said the British government would consider the types of control needed for people from the two countries before reporting back to parliament.
Ireland has yet to make a decision about whether to allow citizens of the two countries access to the labour market.
