Outlined below are the key areas of concern which need "immediate and decisive action" before the countries will be allowed to join.

Cyprus:

Three issues of serious concern:

• readiness to administer EU farm subsidies
• foreign trade arrangements
• maritime safety.

Czech Republic:

Three issues of serious concern:

• mutual recognition of professional qualifications held by other EU citizens
• boosting agricultural hygiene
• road transport, where efforts to meet EU norms "should be considerably reinforced".

Estonia:

Three areas of serious concern:

• mutual recognition of qualifications in health sector
• progress on bringing labour law into line with EU norms
• equal treatment of women.

Hungary:

Four areas of serious concern, all linked to agriculture, including:

• readiness to administer EU farm subsidies
• co-ordinating with the EU on agricultural administration and control to prepare for rural development measures and to ensure public health standards in agri-food establishments.

Latvia:

Five areas of serious concern:

• mutual recognition of qualifications and training
• strengthening safety measures against animal diseases
• EU co-operation over sales tax
• readiness to administer the customs union.

Lithuania:

Two issues of serious concern:

• mutual recognition of qualifications
• inspection and control of its fishing fleet.

Malta:

Six issues of serious concern, including:

• restructuring its shipyards
• administering EU farm subsidies
• co-ordinating with the EU on farm administration and control
• boosting safety measures to stop transmissible animal diseases
• strengthening maritime safety.

Poland:

Nine areas of serious concern, including:

• free movement of people
• mutual recognition of qualifications
• farm subsidies controls
• co-ordinating with the EU on farm administration
• boosting agro-food hygiene
• controls on animal and crop diseases.

Slovakia:

Four issues of concern:

• steel quotas and agricultural questions including control of farm subsidies.

Slovenia:

One issue of concern:

• mutual recognition of qualifications.