Justice sector reforms in Bulgaria and Romania received the praise of senior EU officials, Bloomberg agency reported.

According to EU sources the two countries' chances for on-time EU accession increase.

The EU pressure produced major reforms, head of the European Commission enlargement department Michael Leigh said.

In May the EC will issue its final report on the two countries readiness to join the union. It is also expected to recommend an accession date. In its previous report, the EC warned Bulgaria and Romania to speed up justice reforms to avoid accession delays, Bloomberg reported.

Leigh said more measures are needed and declined naming an accession date.

Bloomberg reports EU regulations would make delaying Bulgaria's accession harder than Romania's. Bulgaria's membership can be postponed only if representatives of all 25 member states vote in favour. Romania's accession can be delayed through a majority vote.

Even if the two countries are accepted in January 2007, the introduction of safeguard clauses remains a viable option. These would deny the two countries membership rights in problematic areas.