Friday 5 September 2008

Serbia EU candidate in 2009?

At a press conference on Wednesday, EU Commission president Barroso told that Serbia "could" become an EU candidate country in 2009, without making a clear timing commitment.

However, when you read Barroso's speaking points for the press conference (video extract), there is no date mentioned - which in fact is a definite sign that 2009 remains very hypothetical.

Without a consensual agreement on the Kosovo question, I do not see this coming, and I do not see a consensual agreement coming either...

2 comments:

Antal Dániel said...

I guess this could be an incentive to solve the Kosovo-issue before the end of 2010. Although at the level or political rhetoric this seems to be a long-shot, European business is already placing huge money bets on Serbia's quick integration.

On the other hand, this may be one of the soft responses to Russia's assertive policies in Eastern Europe and a possibly helpful means to detach Serbia, an EU-member from Russia.

I think this was a good announcement.

Anonymous said...

Excellent post.

Serbia EU candidate in 2009. That's pretty hard to take seriously. But, of course, it generates plenty of headlines.