Bulgaria and Romania's efforts in combating corruption and organized crime are insufficient and need to be urgently stepped up, EU foreign affairs ministers have stated, reports the BBC.

The EU ministers, meeting in Brussels within the General Affairs council in preparation for the European Council summit Thursday, stated that both newcomers still have quite some work to do to live up to expectations.

Bulgaria was reprimanded for lack of transparency and accountability of courts and failure to impose adequate penalties to organized crime.

Similarly, Romania was scolded on foibles in the judiciary and conflicts of interests among state officials.

BBC reports that EU officials nevertheless praised Bulgaria for stepping up reforms, but spoke of "important deficiencies" in court procedures.

July the European Commission published a report on the progress in the judicial reform and combating crime under the so-called Co-operation and Verification Mechanism. The report voiced approval for efforts in Bulgaria, while stressing there is a lot more to do.

The Bulgarian government then heralded the Commission progress report as standing for unconditional praise of its work.

Monday's statement speaks of important deficiencies also in the case of Romania, in the field of conflict of interests and judicial procedure.

It encourages the governments of the two countries to intensify efforts "as a matter of urgency."