Kostunica blocks agreement between Serbia and the EU

Journalists Harry de Quetteville and Bruno Waterfield commentate the radical turn of events in Serbia. "Mr Kostunica appears to have been ready to bring down the government, rather than sit back and watch as Serbia embraced a specially drawn up EU trade, education and visa agreement, due to have been signed today. His open defiance of Mr Tadic's wishes leaves Serbia's president and prime minister fighting for the reins of power. Until their struggle is settled, further progress in Serbia's quest to join the EU appears impossible. The split in Belgrade left EU officials in Brussels fuming. ... The EU deal was widely seen as a 'sweetener' to help Mr Tadic in his re-election campaign, and to bolster his popularity immediately after his victory. But Mr Kostunica has insisted that signing it would have signalled Belgrade's acquiescence to Kosovo's imminent split, which is to be monitored by a 1,800 strong EU mission."

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