"Full normalization with Kosovo needed," says Austrian FM

Just recognise us and let's move on as two normal Balkan countries ! KOSOVA IS INDEPENDENT. Get over it. We are recognized by 108 countries which is almost 70 % of the whole world. We have signals from almost all the others beside Russia, Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua ( they MUST have something in common) that they will very soon recognise us too ! This is done. I know it hurts, but we are living normally, we are growing normally, we are living in freedom and very much enjoying it ! I personally respect serbian people, and in the city I live in they are many serbians and we have no problems AT ALL! I feel sorry that you people who live in Serbia have NO IDEA what is happening here. Serbian people here have all their rights, they have Republic of Kosovo passports, they go to school in serbian, they go to churches and so on! We get along really well. Politics are ugly. We will be again together under the same umbrella hopefully, but that will be EUROPEAN UNION and NEVER EVER again Serbia, Yugoslavia or whatever. It hurts you, but everybody knows that.Even you. I am personally against us becoming together with Albania too! Of course I sympathise them, but we live in peace here, we have everything, and we do not need new borders in Balkan! It has already been screwed up many times! We are "the cancer" of Europe. PEACE ON ALL. Greetings from Republic of Kosova to the people in Republic of Serbia ! I believe we can one day live together in peace. If not us, at least our kids! PEACE !

"It is not in the EU's interest to accept members that have disputes with other countries, because that would introduce instability, so Serbia needs to normalize its relations with Kosovo before joining the EU, which would be confirmed by a legally binding document as well, and Brussels is prepared to help and facilitate the process,"he stated.

Ari, sj, Peggy, gotshrid, Ratko, and bullwinkle are just going to roll over and croak! However, I'll bet the vast majority of Serbs have been ready for a long time to except the reality that Kosova is a sovereign country! It's these few rabied radical rats that continue to infest the Serbian society with extremist ideologies! and primitive tendencies! Turn the page Serbia, and join the family of civilized nations, its for your own good!

(Commenting on Serbian Radical Party leader Vojislav Seselj's actions after his provisional release from the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, he remarked that he was not concerned about it because nationalism was an obsolete ideology in Serbia)

We & Europe will get our chance soon enough, to see if this is indeed a obsolete ideology in Serbia!
I for one, will believe it when it, I I want to see Serbia practicing true democratic values first, maybe for a few decades at the least?

"Serbian people here have all their rights, they have Republic of Kosovo passports, they go to school in serbian, they go to churches and so on!"

Filthy liar, there isnt a single serbian church in any of the albanian majority towns in Kosovo, you burned them all. And possibly YOU live in peace but the serbs surely dont they cant even visit their vandalized graveyards without being harrassed. Serbian children cant go to school without getting stones trown at them and this happens every single day so keep dreaming that we will recognize you.

We & Europe will get our chance soon enough, to see if this is indeed a obsolete ideology in Serbia!
I for one, will believe it when it, I I want to see Serbia practicing true democratic values first, maybe for a few decades at the least?
(Rocky, 10 December 2014 16:38)

Says someone from the democratic heaven Kosovo where nonalbanians cant even speak their own language or go to schools without getting harassed. First you give the serbs in Kosov the same rights your albanians have in Serbia and then we can talk about democracy. About the EU, we will never join it. The more we distance ourselves from fasists and savages like you albanians the better.

Thank you for speech mein fuhrer!!

We have signals from almost all the others beside Russia, Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua
(Independent Kosovar, 10 December 2014 16:06)

You forgot China, which just overtook the U.S. as the world's largest economy. You forgot India, with along with China is the two most populous countries in the world. You forgot to mention that a lot of your "recognitions" are dubious and murky without a real understanding if at all the countries in question "recognize" your stillborn project. And yes, there is Russia, the largest country on the planet.

Also you forgot to mention that in Europe, there are no countries any more. It is made up of a centrally-planned, EU superstate which dictates policy to its national governments. Ya, the paradise you are painting is looking a little funny in the light.

@Rocky and Ind Kosovar

You guys are too much..Rocky all of us here know your a moron(and I think you know it too), and you prove it time and time again. No one in Serbia or anywhere else in the world have to show you anything (except for maybe in your home, and somehow I get the feeling that you don't get much respect there either). These TRUE democratic values that you speak of..where do they exist anywhere in the world?? Hints and signs of them maybe, but most of you ding dongs confuse capitalism with democracy on a regular basis. Ind. Kosovar, please man..do your math...108/193 is not 70% it`s 56%..Thanks for the laughs.

The Serbian people recognize kosovo independence with 63% according to b92 and ipsos. All nationalists and nationalist parties have been eliminated from the parliament. I don't understand why Kosovo is still in the constition and why there hasn't been a parliamentary removal vote or vote by referendum. Serbs go to work every day as border guards and customs agents on the Kosovo border. Dejan pavicevic is ambassador to Kosovo. He has a staff too! I don't understand why Kosovo is still in he constituion. Unless its thought that you can't introduce a Kosovo removal measure without it being treason? One of the most popular saying supporting Kosovo independence in Kosovo is "Kosovo is not a job, Kosovo is not food".

The European Union is unambiguous. As it is right now, in order to enter their club, Serbia has to dismantle itself. It isn't a surprise, they hinted at it for a long time and now they demand it. It isn't worth it. Perhaps the Serbian government should consider alternatives to joining the EU and proceed with the alternatives along with improving trade with the EU.

What "normalization of relations and a legal binding document mean"...I hope that Serbian politicians and people are intelligent enough to read and understand the meaning of the message.

Folks, this may take some time for realization to kick in for serbian leadership. The serbian political parties have approved in their next annual budget the procurement of a compass and some geographical european maps...next steps will include graphing on a chart the longitude and latitude lines and seeing where they intersect to give the serbian leadership the exact point of intersection for kosova. Once this has been accomplished the visual and procise locatation should indicate the European continent and not far east asia and siberia mother land of Russia. Finally, and more importantly some level of logic will kick in amongst the leaders of serbia.

Says someone from the democratic heaven Kosovo where nonalbanians cant even speak their own language or go to schools without getting harassed.
(Daniel, 10 December 2014 18:54)

But according to our dear friend Ari Gold is usually the other way around, like in Mitrovica, and he/she is so proud about that!
----------

First you give the serbs in Kosov the same rights your albanians have in Serbia and then we can talk about democracy.
(Daniel, 10 December 2014 18:54)

Well, that's not possible because Serbs in Kosovo already have the right to veto changes to the Constitution of Kosovo, whereas Albanians in Serbia do not have that right. So it has to start with the latter :)
----------

About the EU, we will never join it. The more we distance ourselves from fasists and savages like you albanians the better.
(Daniel, 10 December 2014 18:54)

That's great news for Kosovo. At least there is one area where you and Kosovo feel the same.
----------

"Serbian people here have all their rights, they have Republic of Kosovo passports, they go to school in serbian, they go to churches and so on!"

Filthy liar, there isnt a single serbian church in any of the albanian majority towns in Kosovo, you burned them all.
(Daniel, 10 December 2014 18:51)

Calm down dear :) He/she said "churches" not "serbian churches" and there are churches in Albanian majority towns. You are more than welcome to go to Kosovo and verify that if you are so concerned.

They accepted Cyprus.............

THere's no normalization possible with Kosovo in serbias constituion

Perhaps the Serbian government should consider alternatives to joining the EU and proceed with the alternatives along with improving trade with the EU.
(marKo, 10 December 2014 21:04)

That's like having your cake and eating it too. However, what benefit will the EU gain from your suggestion. Remember, Serbia is insignificant in the scheme of things, the EU will be successful with or without Serbia. For Serbia to be part of the EU, with all the advantages that go along with being a member, such as the privilege to get loans, she must guarantee by agreeing to iron clad conditions stipulated by the EU. There is no such thing as a free lunch.

First you give the serbs in Kosov the same rights your albanians have in Serbia and then we can talk about democracy.
(Daniel, 10 December 2014 18:54)

Well, that's not possible because Serbs in Kosovo already have the right to veto changes to the Constitution of Kosovo, whereas Albanians in Serbia do not have that right. So it has to start with the latter :)
(icj1, 11 December 2014 02:55)

No it has to start with basic human rights such as the right to go to school without getting stones thrown at you and being harassed, to be able to visit your graveyards, to not get your churches burned and graveyards desecrated. Lets start with that.
(Daniel, 11 December 2014 12:40)

Well, what you are saying are allegations. I can make the same allegations for the Albanians in Serbia. And and me and you can provide all proof that we want, it does not make those allegations true until decided so by a court of law but there is nothing written in law that denies those rights to anybody in Kosovo or in Serbia.

Whereas, the right that Serbs have to veto changes to Kosovo's Constitution and the lack of such right for Albanians in Serbia is an indisputable fact. So, before you write garbage, research the facts!

(Moderate Serb, 11 December 2014 16:38)

A lot of fallacies here. First of all, you surely can trade with the EU without being a member, countries do it all the time. In fact, since the EU has placed sanctions on Russia, Serbia is currently a much more favorable destination for investment by ironically German companies because Serbia did not tow that line. Now German distribution company Henkel is coming to Serbia to open up a huge 80, 000 square foot distribution plant for the purpose of exporting Serbian agriculture to Russia. Fiat is begging Serbia to ask for a larger quota on cars to be added in Serbia's free trade agreement with Russia which now seems all but certain given Russia's desire to somewhat compensate Serbia for the South Stream.

So you're right, in order to become a province of the EU, you must follow the EU central planners. But you can still attract investment from private European companies without listening to what these EU lunatics have to say.

One thing is for sure though, the EU will NOT be successful whether Serbia is in or out. Have you even read the news in the last 2 years? What is your definition of success?

Moderate "Serb" maybe you should moderately familiarize yourself with all the massive problems the EU is currently facing.

"So it has to start with the latter :) "'
No it has to start with basic human rights such as the right to go to school without getting stones thrown at you and being harassed, to be able to visit your graveyards, to not get your churches burned and graveyards desecrated. Lets start with that.

One thing is for sure though, the EU will NOT be successful whether Serbia is in or out. Have you even read the news in the last 2 years? What is your definition of success?
(Ari Gold, 11 December 2014 21:50)

The definition of success is that the EU is successful as long as EU citizens want to maintain the Union. So far they want to maintain it, end of the story - what you say is really irrelevant :)

They accepted Cyprus...…..
(ned taylor, 10 December 2014 23:45)
I think it is "learning from ones mistakes". Plus there is the issue that no one in the EU recognizes nor supports the separation of Cyprus, but that is not true for Kosovo.

"Well, what you are saying are allegations. I can make the same allegations for the Albanians in Serbia. And and me and you can provide all proof that we want, it does not make those allegations true until decided so by a court of law but there is nothing written in law that denies those rights to anybody in Kosovo or in Serbia. "

Laws dont mean jack unless they are implemented, its one thing what the law says and what actually happens on the ground is something else. By the way there is no law in Kosovo that guarantees freedom of movement for serbs cause if there was they wouldnt have to be escorted by EULEX when they are going to school or even such a simple thing as going to the grocery store.

"Well, what you are saying are allegations. I can make the same allegations for the Albanians in Serbia. And and me and you can provide all proof that we want, it does not make those allegations true until decided so by a court of law but there is nothing written in law that denies those rights to anybody in Kosovo or in Serbia. "

Laws dont mean jack unless they are implemented, its one thing what the law says and what actually happens on the ground is something else.
(Daniel, 13 December 2014 13:02)

Sure, but start first by having the law then we can argue whether it's implemented or not. And in case, in the example I provided, the law has been implemented. So, we're back to the point where Serbs in Kosovo have a very important right to veto changes to Kosovo's Constitution whereas Albanians in Serbia do not have that important right.
----------

By the way there is no law in Kosovo that guarantees freedom of movement for serbs cause if there was they wouldnt have to be escorted by EULEX when they are going to school or even such a simple thing as going to the grocery store.
(Daniel, 13 December 2014 13:02)

And there is no law in Kosovo that guarantees freedom of movement for Albanians cause if there was they wouldnt have to be escorted by EULEX when they are going to school or even such a simple thing as going to the grocery store. So what's your point?

Think about it: You are right of course, but the Austrian FM clearly stated that the EU wouldn't accept a country that had disputes with existing members whereas in fact it has done precisely that in the past when it suited it to do so. Yes, the EU has toughened up but still seems to make it up as it goes along. Romania and Bulgaria were warned to clean up their acts when their accession was delayed for 12 months in 2005. They made no improvement in the areas of concern (the fight against OC and corruption) and yet on 1.1 2007 the two countries joined the EU. It is this constant soft peddling that has led to other aspirant countries believing that all they have to do is play a waiting game until the EU blinks first. Perhaps those days are gone........

Just recognise us and let's move on as two normal Balkan countries ! KOSOVA IS INDEPENDENT. Get over it. We are recognized by 108 countries which is almost 70 % of the whole world. We have signals from almost all the others beside Russia, Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua ( they MUST have something in common) that they will very soon recognise us too ! This is done. I know it hurts, but we are living normally, we are growing normally, we are living in freedom and very much enjoying it ! I personally respect serbian people, and in the city I live in they are many serbians and we have no problems AT ALL! I feel sorry that you people who live in Serbia have NO IDEA what is happening here. Serbian people here have all their rights, they have Republic of Kosovo passports, they go to school in serbian, they go to churches and so on! We get along really well. Politics are ugly. We will be again together under the same umbrella hopefully, but that will be EUROPEAN UNION and NEVER EVER again Serbia, Yugoslavia or whatever. It hurts you, but everybody knows that.Even you. I am personally against us becoming together with Albania too! Of course I sympathise them, but we live in peace here, we have everything, and we do not need new borders in Balkan! It has already been screwed up many times! We are "the cancer" of Europe. PEACE ON ALL. Greetings from Republic of Kosova to the people in Republic of Serbia ! I believe we can one day live together in peace. If not us, at least our kids! PEACE !

"It is not in the EU's interest to accept members that have disputes with other countries, because that would introduce instability, so Serbia needs to normalize its relations with Kosovo before joining the EU, which would be confirmed by a legally binding document as well, and Brussels is prepared to help and facilitate the process,"he stated.

Ari, sj, Peggy, gotshrid, Ratko, and bullwinkle are just going to roll over and croak! However, I'll bet the vast majority of Serbs have been ready for a long time to except the reality that Kosova is a sovereign country! It's these few rabied radical rats that continue to infest the Serbian society with extremist ideologies! and primitive tendencies! Turn the page Serbia, and join the family of civilized nations, its for your own good!

(Commenting on Serbian Radical Party leader Vojislav Seselj's actions after his provisional release from the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, he remarked that he was not concerned about it because nationalism was an obsolete ideology in Serbia)

We & Europe will get our chance soon enough, to see if this is indeed a obsolete ideology in Serbia!
I for one, will believe it when it, I I want to see Serbia practicing true democratic values first, maybe for a few decades at the least?

"Serbian people here have all their rights, they have Republic of Kosovo passports, they go to school in serbian, they go to churches and so on!"

Filthy liar, there isnt a single serbian church in any of the albanian majority towns in Kosovo, you burned them all. And possibly YOU live in peace but the serbs surely dont they cant even visit their vandalized graveyards without being harrassed. Serbian children cant go to school without getting stones trown at them and this happens every single day so keep dreaming that we will recognize you.

We & Europe will get our chance soon enough, to see if this is indeed a obsolete ideology in Serbia!
I for one, will believe it when it, I I want to see Serbia practicing true democratic values first, maybe for a few decades at the least?
(Rocky, 10 December 2014 16:38)

Says someone from the democratic heaven Kosovo where nonalbanians cant even speak their own language or go to schools without getting harassed. First you give the serbs in Kosov the same rights your albanians have in Serbia and then we can talk about democracy. About the EU, we will never join it. The more we distance ourselves from fasists and savages like you albanians the better.

Folks, this may take some time for realization to kick in for serbian leadership. The serbian political parties have approved in their next annual budget the procurement of a compass and some geographical european maps...next steps will include graphing on a chart the longitude and latitude lines and seeing where they intersect to give the serbian leadership the exact point of intersection for kosova. Once this has been accomplished the visual and procise locatation should indicate the European continent and not far east asia and siberia mother land of Russia. Finally, and more importantly some level of logic will kick in amongst the leaders of serbia.

The European Union is unambiguous. As it is right now, in order to enter their club, Serbia has to dismantle itself. It isn't a surprise, they hinted at it for a long time and now they demand it. It isn't worth it. Perhaps the Serbian government should consider alternatives to joining the EU and proceed with the alternatives along with improving trade with the EU.

What "normalization of relations and a legal binding document mean"...I hope that Serbian politicians and people are intelligent enough to read and understand the meaning of the message.

The Serbian people recognize kosovo independence with 63% according to b92 and ipsos. All nationalists and nationalist parties have been eliminated from the parliament. I don't understand why Kosovo is still in the constition and why there hasn't been a parliamentary removal vote or vote by referendum. Serbs go to work every day as border guards and customs agents on the Kosovo border. Dejan pavicevic is ambassador to Kosovo. He has a staff too! I don't understand why Kosovo is still in he constituion. Unless its thought that you can't introduce a Kosovo removal measure without it being treason? One of the most popular saying supporting Kosovo independence in Kosovo is "Kosovo is not a job, Kosovo is not food".

(Moderate Serb, 11 December 2014 16:38)

A lot of fallacies here. First of all, you surely can trade with the EU without being a member, countries do it all the time. In fact, since the EU has placed sanctions on Russia, Serbia is currently a much more favorable destination for investment by ironically German companies because Serbia did not tow that line. Now German distribution company Henkel is coming to Serbia to open up a huge 80, 000 square foot distribution plant for the purpose of exporting Serbian agriculture to Russia. Fiat is begging Serbia to ask for a larger quota on cars to be added in Serbia's free trade agreement with Russia which now seems all but certain given Russia's desire to somewhat compensate Serbia for the South Stream.

So you're right, in order to become a province of the EU, you must follow the EU central planners. But you can still attract investment from private European companies without listening to what these EU lunatics have to say.

One thing is for sure though, the EU will NOT be successful whether Serbia is in or out. Have you even read the news in the last 2 years? What is your definition of success?

Moderate "Serb" maybe you should moderately familiarize yourself with all the massive problems the EU is currently facing.

Thank you for speech mein fuhrer!!

@Rocky and Ind Kosovar

You guys are too much..Rocky all of us here know your a moron(and I think you know it too), and you prove it time and time again. No one in Serbia or anywhere else in the world have to show you anything (except for maybe in your home, and somehow I get the feeling that you don't get much respect there either). These TRUE democratic values that you speak of..where do they exist anywhere in the world?? Hints and signs of them maybe, but most of you ding dongs confuse capitalism with democracy on a regular basis. Ind. Kosovar, please man..do your math...108/193 is not 70% it`s 56%..Thanks for the laughs.

Says someone from the democratic heaven Kosovo where nonalbanians cant even speak their own language or go to schools without getting harassed.
(Daniel, 10 December 2014 18:54)

But according to our dear friend Ari Gold is usually the other way around, like in Mitrovica, and he/she is so proud about that!
----------

First you give the serbs in Kosov the same rights your albanians have in Serbia and then we can talk about democracy.
(Daniel, 10 December 2014 18:54)

Well, that's not possible because Serbs in Kosovo already have the right to veto changes to the Constitution of Kosovo, whereas Albanians in Serbia do not have that right. So it has to start with the latter :)
----------

About the EU, we will never join it. The more we distance ourselves from fasists and savages like you albanians the better.
(Daniel, 10 December 2014 18:54)

That's great news for Kosovo. At least there is one area where you and Kosovo feel the same.
----------

"Serbian people here have all their rights, they have Republic of Kosovo passports, they go to school in serbian, they go to churches and so on!"

Filthy liar, there isnt a single serbian church in any of the albanian majority towns in Kosovo, you burned them all.
(Daniel, 10 December 2014 18:51)

Calm down dear :) He/she said "churches" not "serbian churches" and there are churches in Albanian majority towns. You are more than welcome to go to Kosovo and verify that if you are so concerned.

We have signals from almost all the others beside Russia, Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua
(Independent Kosovar, 10 December 2014 16:06)

You forgot China, which just overtook the U.S. as the world's largest economy. You forgot India, with along with China is the two most populous countries in the world. You forgot to mention that a lot of your "recognitions" are dubious and murky without a real understanding if at all the countries in question "recognize" your stillborn project. And yes, there is Russia, the largest country on the planet.

Also you forgot to mention that in Europe, there are no countries any more. It is made up of a centrally-planned, EU superstate which dictates policy to its national governments. Ya, the paradise you are painting is looking a little funny in the light.

THere's no normalization possible with Kosovo in serbias constituion

They accepted Cyprus...…..
(ned taylor, 10 December 2014 23:45)
I think it is "learning from ones mistakes". Plus there is the issue that no one in the EU recognizes nor supports the separation of Cyprus, but that is not true for Kosovo.

"Well, what you are saying are allegations. I can make the same allegations for the Albanians in Serbia. And and me and you can provide all proof that we want, it does not make those allegations true until decided so by a court of law but there is nothing written in law that denies those rights to anybody in Kosovo or in Serbia. "

Laws dont mean jack unless they are implemented, its one thing what the law says and what actually happens on the ground is something else. By the way there is no law in Kosovo that guarantees freedom of movement for serbs cause if there was they wouldnt have to be escorted by EULEX when they are going to school or even such a simple thing as going to the grocery store.

"So it has to start with the latter :) "'
No it has to start with basic human rights such as the right to go to school without getting stones thrown at you and being harassed, to be able to visit your graveyards, to not get your churches burned and graveyards desecrated. Lets start with that.

Perhaps the Serbian government should consider alternatives to joining the EU and proceed with the alternatives along with improving trade with the EU.
(marKo, 10 December 2014 21:04)

That's like having your cake and eating it too. However, what benefit will the EU gain from your suggestion. Remember, Serbia is insignificant in the scheme of things, the EU will be successful with or without Serbia. For Serbia to be part of the EU, with all the advantages that go along with being a member, such as the privilege to get loans, she must guarantee by agreeing to iron clad conditions stipulated by the EU. There is no such thing as a free lunch.

First you give the serbs in Kosov the same rights your albanians have in Serbia and then we can talk about democracy.
(Daniel, 10 December 2014 18:54)

Well, that's not possible because Serbs in Kosovo already have the right to veto changes to the Constitution of Kosovo, whereas Albanians in Serbia do not have that right. So it has to start with the latter :)
(icj1, 11 December 2014 02:55)

No it has to start with basic human rights such as the right to go to school without getting stones thrown at you and being harassed, to be able to visit your graveyards, to not get your churches burned and graveyards desecrated. Lets start with that.
(Daniel, 11 December 2014 12:40)

Well, what you are saying are allegations. I can make the same allegations for the Albanians in Serbia. And and me and you can provide all proof that we want, it does not make those allegations true until decided so by a court of law but there is nothing written in law that denies those rights to anybody in Kosovo or in Serbia.

Whereas, the right that Serbs have to veto changes to Kosovo's Constitution and the lack of such right for Albanians in Serbia is an indisputable fact. So, before you write garbage, research the facts!

They accepted Cyprus.............

"Well, what you are saying are allegations. I can make the same allegations for the Albanians in Serbia. And and me and you can provide all proof that we want, it does not make those allegations true until decided so by a court of law but there is nothing written in law that denies those rights to anybody in Kosovo or in Serbia. "

Laws dont mean jack unless they are implemented, its one thing what the law says and what actually happens on the ground is something else.
(Daniel, 13 December 2014 13:02)

Sure, but start first by having the law then we can argue whether it's implemented or not. And in case, in the example I provided, the law has been implemented. So, we're back to the point where Serbs in Kosovo have a very important right to veto changes to Kosovo's Constitution whereas Albanians in Serbia do not have that important right.
----------

By the way there is no law in Kosovo that guarantees freedom of movement for serbs cause if there was they wouldnt have to be escorted by EULEX when they are going to school or even such a simple thing as going to the grocery store.
(Daniel, 13 December 2014 13:02)

And there is no law in Kosovo that guarantees freedom of movement for Albanians cause if there was they wouldnt have to be escorted by EULEX when they are going to school or even such a simple thing as going to the grocery store. So what's your point?

One thing is for sure though, the EU will NOT be successful whether Serbia is in or out. Have you even read the news in the last 2 years? What is your definition of success?
(Ari Gold, 11 December 2014 21:50)

The definition of success is that the EU is successful as long as EU citizens want to maintain the Union. So far they want to maintain it, end of the story - what you say is really irrelevant :)

Think about it: You are right of course, but the Austrian FM clearly stated that the EU wouldn't accept a country that had disputes with existing members whereas in fact it has done precisely that in the past when it suited it to do so. Yes, the EU has toughened up but still seems to make it up as it goes along. Romania and Bulgaria were warned to clean up their acts when their accession was delayed for 12 months in 2005. They made no improvement in the areas of concern (the fight against OC and corruption) and yet on 1.1 2007 the two countries joined the EU. It is this constant soft peddling that has led to other aspirant countries believing that all they have to do is play a waiting game until the EU blinks first. Perhaps those days are gone........