Romania has blocked the decision on Serbia's EU accession during the European Affairs Ministers' meeting, demanding guarantees for the Romanian 'vlahi' minority's rights in Serbia.

Romania's opposition to Serbia becoming an EU candidate came as a surprise. The country's decision to block Serbia's accession to the EU could be a 'tit for tat' retaliation against the Netherlands over joining the Schengen area, according to the EUObserver. The Netherlands, which has opposed Romania's entry into the passport free zone, is a keen supporter of Serbia's EU candidacy.

Serbia needs the OK from all 27 member states to start procedures for EU accession. Romania has put pressure on Serbia over guarantees that the rights of the Romanian minority in Serbia – some 30,000 'vlahi' people, most of which are in the Timoc area, East Serbia – will be respected. Romania has been promised an EC draft report on the progress of minority rights by September 2012, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Cristian Diaconescu. He hopes the two countries will sign an agreement on minorities as soon as possible. Romania has asked Serbia to allow mother tongue teaching for the Romanian minority group and enough churches.

However, Serbian president Boris Tadic said the problem stems from Romania's request to have all Serbian citizens who call themselves 'vlahi' to be recognized as Romanians. “Serbia will not accept such an approach by all means, as it is against European standards,” said the Serbian president.

editor@romania-insider.com