"No new EU members in 2009"

British Ambassador in Belgrade Stephen Wordsworth says it is "almost certain" that no new members would be accepted to the EU this year. The reason, he told daily Danas, is the economic crisis and other issues, such as the Lisbon Treaty ratification. "No new EU members in 2009" Still, Wordsworth stated, no one is questioning the position that the Western Balkans countries should join the EU, considering the "unequivocal" geographic, political and economic conditions, according to the newspaper's article. The ambassador said it would be "natural" for Serbia to join the union, but that in order to reach this goal the government must invest "a lot of effort". "Serbia should continue on the road that it took several months ago, after the unblocking of parliament," said Wordsworth. He was also quoted as saying that it is encouraging that the Serbian parliament had started to process drafts and adopt reform laws. The British ambassador stated that he is "very satisfied" with the two countries' cooperation in various fields and on different levels, but that investments would be reduced due to the economic crisis.

"No new EU members in 2009"

Still, Wordsworth stated, no one is questioning the position that the Western Balkans countries should join the EU, considering the "unequivocal" geographic, political and economic conditions, according to the newspaper's article.

The ambassador said it would be "natural" for Serbia to join the union, but that in order to reach this goal the government must invest "a lot of effort".

"Serbia should continue on the road that it took several months ago, after the unblocking of parliament," said Wordsworth.

He was also quoted as saying that it is encouraging that the Serbian parliament had started to process drafts and adopt reform laws.

The British ambassador stated that he is "very satisfied" with the two countries' cooperation in various fields and on different levels, but that investments would be reduced due to the economic crisis.