Bulgarians feel unprepared for 2007 EU entry-poll

SOFIA, June 15 (Reuters) Almost half of Bulgarians believe their country is not ready to join the European Union next year because their political leaders lack the will to push through reforms, a poll showed today.

Last month, Brussels delayed a decision on whether to let the Black Sea state join in 2007 or delay it for a year more, saying Sofia had yet to prove it could handle rampant high-level corruption and organised crime.

A poll conducted by the state-funded agency NPOC showed 48.2 percent of Bulgarians think the country is not ready for entry, versus 36.9 per cent who considered it prepared.

''Bulgarians are sceptical, because they are not convinced politicians are making enough efforts to prepare the country for EU entry,'' Lilia Yordanova, director of NPOC, told Reuters.

NPOC conducted the poll ahead of the May 16 report from the EU's executive Commission which was published on Thursday.

In the review, the Commission berated Sofia on a range of issues, particularly for not investigating, prosecuting or convicting officials suspected of graft and underworld kinpins blamed for around 150 unsolved gangland slayings since 2001.

Analysts and diplomats complain ties between politicians and groups who control large parts of the economy through networks of legal and criminal businesses have stunted growth, driven away investors and blocked privatisation and infrastructure deals needed to create jobs and boost living standards.

With half of its 7.7 million people living on 160 levs (102.9 dollars) a month or less, the ex-Soviet satellite is the poorest EU member or candidate save Turkey.

But despite scepticism on preparedness, most Bulgarians see EU membership as the only way to end corruption and poverty.

The poll showed 50 per cent of people said Bulgaria needs to join next year, even if the wealthy bloc has to impose so called safeguard clauses which would keep certain institutions or sectors outside of EU common policy.

''The EU is seen as a kind of miracle fix that will force restraint on politicians, because nothing else has managed to do so in the last 15 years,'' Yordanova said.

REUTERS CH PM1632