Australian newspaper The Age reported Bulgaria still has to implement a number of reforms, as its EU accession date draws closer.

The final European Commission report on the country's readiness to join the EU will be presented in May. Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ivailo Kalfin said the report will still contain some recommendations but most changes can be implemented by the end of the year.

EU continues criticising Bulgaria of its failure to take decisive measures against corruption and organised crime, The Age reported. If such do not occur the country will join the EU one year later than the initially set accession date.

The new report will not be as harsh as the prevous one, Kalfin said. Bulgaria has achieved progress and though reforms are delayed in some spheres the EC will recognise the achievements, said he.

Bulgaria already approved a new penal code and successfully selected a new Prosecution-General. Constitution amendments will be accepted soon, providing more transparency and increasing the accountability of the judicial sector, said Kalfin.