Dutch make EU reject Serbia

The Netherlands have blocked an EU trade deal with Serbia during the EU Council meeting yesterday.

A Serbian colleague of mine is furious, and I should not quote him because it wouldn't make things better. He's seeing yesterday's result from the side of Serbian citizens, and the rejected deal leaves them behind due to EU internal problems (which is the case if just one country opposes), something hardly understandable outside the Union's borders.

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...