It added the funds should be earmarked in the thorny talks over the Union's future budget currently being led by Britain. "In line with achieving a political compromise by the year end, it is necessary to plan a concrete sum in the EU budget framework proposed by the European Commission," it said. Bulgaria and its neighbour Romania were left out of the wealthy bloc's landmark expansion into former communist Europe last year and are now racing to complete a pile of reforms to be able to join in 2007. Brussels has warned the Black Sea neighbours to step up reforms in administration, judiciary and other sectors as well as stamp out rampant graft and organised crime or it will delay their memberships until 2008. --SP 2208 Local Time 1908 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/305210