By Anthony Fletcher - 6th February 2008
The EU has been forced to postpone Thursday’s signing of an interim political agreement with Serbia following a veto from one of the country’s largest political parties.
“We regret the obstruction by politicians blocking the signature,” said enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn on Wednesday.
“They have failed to hear the voice of the Serbian people, which is in favour of citizens’ rights.
“Politicians have put power games over citizens’ interests.”
EU foreign ministers had agreed last week to offer Serbia an interim political pact, meaning closer trade relations, relaxed visa requirements and educational cooperation.
But one party within the government bloc has since refused permission for Serbia to give its signature.
Rehn had called the proposed agreement a "very strong signal to Serbia”, and expressed his disappointment over the last-minute veto.
However, he reiterated the EU’s position of separating the issues of EU accession and Kosovo independence, and insisted that EU policy towards Serbia would not change.
“EU’s commitment remains firm,” he said. “We are ready when Serbia is ready.”
He went on to say that the EU would continue dialogue over visa liberalisation as a means of reaching directly to the Serbian people, and criticised certain Serbian politicians who appear to be “filing for divorce even before the wedding has taken place”.
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