Nine acceding countries, including Malta, are expected to receive a 'warning' for delays in meeting certain commitments agreed in the EU negotiations to be implemented by accession date, according to sources in Brussels.

The sources said that the warnings are meant to speed up the process of reform and adoption to reach the standards required by accession date on May 1 of next year.

However, the Commission is hopeful that the accession countries have the ability to reach the deadline by the time of accession.

The warning is to be issued by the European Commission as part of a confidential report.

Sources indicated Slovenia as the only acceding country which will not receive a "yellow card". Poland is expected to be termed as the "greatest offender".

Sources indicated that Malta was not among the acceding countries with the most to catch up on. The report will only be sent to the member states and acceding countries concerned.

On a positive note, the report will reaffirm that the 10 acceding countries were generally on track with their preparations and are able to make it by May 1, 2004.

But the European Commission will bring to the attention specific items in which there had been delays in implementing agreed reforms or changes.

The report is also expected to note that all acceding countries have met their commitment so far as the Economic and Monetary Union is concerned, small and medium-sized enterprises, and science and research.