British minister of state for Europe Douglas Alexander said he is confident his country would ratify Bulgaria's EU accession treaty in few weeks.

Alexander met European Integration Minister Meglena Kouneva in Sofia today. The parliamentary ratification procedure has been concluded and Britain will support Bulgaria's membership, Alexander said.

Bulgaria has to follow European deadlines for concluding major reforms. January 1 2007 is achievable accession date, Alexander said.

Spheres that need further work include judicial reforms, domestic order and agriculture, the Bulgarian National Radio reported. The reforms have to be evident not only on paper, Alexander said.

The next European Commission inspection of Bulgaria's reform progress in the legal sector will occur between February 20 and 24, Kouneva said.