Bildt: EU risking its reputation

Carl Bildt says the EU is risking losing its credibility and creating instability in the Balkans unless it brings the region's countries closer to membership. The Swedish foreign minister, whose country is presiding over the EU, told London's Financial Times newspaper that nationalism could enter the forefront once again over the pro-European forces in some of the former Yugoslav republics in case that chances of integrating into the European Union start look dimmer. Bildt: EU risking its reputation He said that EU had a chance in Serbia, where last year’s reelection of Boris Tadic strengthened the pro-European forces, but if the European sweep is slowed or stops completely, there is a danger that the country will be taken over by "other forces". This danger is not related only to Serbia, the Financial Times writes, reminding that Croatia and Macedonia are the only two countries of the region that are official candidates for EU membership. The daily says that Croatia’s path towards the EU has slowed because of its border dispute with Slovenia, while negotiations for association have even begun with Macedonia. The BBC quotes Bildt as stating that because of the political in-fighting between Bosnia-Herzegovina, the country could seriously fall behind in the integration process. Exclusion of Bosnia from the list of countries whose citizens will be able to travel visa-free throughout the Schengen zone next year is a warning to politicians in that country, Bildt said, adding that if they do not undertake action, "the train will leave the station without them".

Bildt: EU risking its reputation

He said that EU had a chance in Serbia, where last year’s reelection of Boris Tadić strengthened the pro-European forces, but if the European sweep is slowed or stops completely, there is a danger that the country will be taken over by "other forces".

This danger is not related only to Serbia, the Financial Times writes, reminding that Croatia and Macedonia are the only two countries of the region that are official candidates for EU membership.

The daily says that Croatia’s path towards the EU has slowed because of its border dispute with Slovenia, while negotiations for association have even begun with Macedonia.

The BBC quotes Bildt as stating that because of the political in-fighting between Bosnia-Herzegovina, the country could seriously fall behind in the integration process.

Exclusion of Bosnia from the list of countries whose citizens will be able to travel visa-free throughout the Schengen zone next year is a warning to politicians in that country, Bildt said, adding that if they do not undertake action, "the train will leave the station without them".