EU says enlargement on course

The European Union has signalled that it may take longer than expected to enlarge its membership, in a report which also strongly criticises Turkey's application to join.

The EU's annual report on enlargement says Turkey still needs to improve its political and human rights, and establish a properly working market economy, before talks can start on its membership application.

The report says front-running countries for membership, like Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic, could conclude talks in two years as long as action is taken against corruption and other issues.

A BBC Correspondent in Brussels says the lengthy ratification process means the first new members won't join possibly until 2005, years later than they hope.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service