Rehn says Bulgaria EU's entry preparation in 'critical' phase

EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn has said Bulgaria is in a "critical" phase in its preparations for EU accession.

"We are living critical days as regards Bulgaria's preparation for accession," the commissioner said on Thursday (30 March), according to press reports.

Mr Rehn announced he will give a "preliminary assessment" of Bulgaria and Romania’s readiness to enter the EU as planned on 1 January 2007 before the foreign affairs committee in the European Parliament on Monday...