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EU says Serbia agreement on hold EU says Serbia agreement on hold
(about 6 hours later)
The EU enlargement commissioner has said a deal due to be signed with Serbia has been postponed because of a political dispute in Belgrade. The EU enlargement commissioner has said a political deal due to be signed with Serbia has been postponed because of a political dispute in Belgrade.
Olli Rehn spoke of "the obstruction by certain politicians in Belgrade in blocking the signature". Olli Rehn spoke of "the obstruction by certain politicians", in a clear reference to PM Vojislav Kostunica.
The accord offering Serbia closer trade relations and easing visa requirements was due to be signed on Thursday. And Serbian President Boris Tadic later complained that Mr Kostunica had blocked a cabinet meeting on the issue.
Serbian PM Vojislav Kostunica has accused the EU of tricking Belgrade into recognising an independent Kosovo. Mr Kostunica has denounced the accord as a trick which will help pave the way for independence in Kosovo.
The leadership of the breakaway Serbian province is due to proclaim independence in the next few weeks. The EU offer of closer trade relations and relaxed visa requirements was due to be signed on Thursday.
Serbian sovereignty Sovereignty 'undermined'
Mr Kostunica said yesterday the EU's decision this week formally to agree a civilian mission there has undermined Serbian sovereignty. But the Serbian prime minister said a formal agreement made this week by the EU's 27 member states for a 1,800-strong civilian mission to Kosovo had undermined his country's sovereignty.
His stance is at odds with that of President Tadic, who won re-election on Sunday and whose party is part of the same ruling coalition. Kosovo's leadership is expected to proclaim independence in the next few weeks.
Mr Rehn accused some leaders in Serbia of ignoring the election result. Mr Kostunica's stance on the EU is strongly at odds with that of President Tadic, who won re-election on Sunday and whose party is part of the same ruling coalition.
He accused Mr Tadic's Democrats of putting Serbia's constitutional order in "grave danger" by refusing to convene a session of parliament.
In a separate development, two allies of the Serbian president - the deputy prime minister and foreign minister - were among 17 ministers who signed a letter to Mr Kostunica calling for a regular government meeting to take place on Thursday.
Election result ignored
The EU enlargement commissioner said certain leaders in Serbia had ignored the election result.
"They have really failed to hear the choice of the Serbian people," he told reporters in Brussels."They have really failed to hear the choice of the Serbian people," he told reporters in Brussels.
He said he very much regretted having to postpone tomorrow's signing but said the deal still stood.He said he very much regretted having to postpone tomorrow's signing but said the deal still stood.
"Of course, the EU commitment is firm and the invitation remains on the table.""Of course, the EU commitment is firm and the invitation remains on the table."