The country was blocked by Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Sweden
Eight national capitals have opposed and blocked a European Commission proposal to open a new EU membership negotiations ‘cluster’ with Serbia, meaning that moves to fast-track Belgrade have hit the buffers.
Diplomats said that ambassadors from Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Sweden were firmly opposed to opening talks on single market alignment with Serbia.
Three other countries – Denmark, Latvia, and Luxembourg – were less opposed but not convinced that Belgrade has met obligations to clean up corruption, implement sanctions against Russia, and to protect media freedom.
One diplomat noted that with “such a large group opposed based on such fundamental issues” it was impossible to imagine that the proposal would be received in the near future.
