Romania halts Serbia EU bid over minority guarantees

PanARMENIAN.Net - Romania dashed hopes for a rapid green light for Serbia's European Union membership candidacy on Tuesday, February 28 when its foreign minister unexpectedly demanded further guarantees for minorities in the Balkan country, M&C reported citing DPA.

Diplomats said Romania was especially concerned about the status of Serbia's Wallachians, who speak a Romanian language and are considered by Bucharest to be ethnic Romanians. They reportedly do not see themselves that way, however.

Cristian Diaconescu, Romania's foreign minister, added to the confusion by not proposing alternative wording for a decision that was expected out of Tuesday's meeting of EU affairs ministers, according to diplomats.

Serbian President Boris Tadic on Tuesday afternoon warned that his country was unwilling to accept extra conditions not “in accordance with” the requirements for EU membership. If ministers cannot strike a deal, the issue will be taken up by EU leaders later this week.