Biser Banchev, Rumania’s Position on Serbia’s EU Admission Negotiations in February-March 2012 and its Reflection in the Bulgarian Media

Biser Banchev - Institute of Balkan Studies & Centre of Thracology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
TOME LIV 2016
p. 315-326
Online publication date: 
02/06/2024
Keywords: 
Serbia, Romania, minorities in Serbia, Vlach minority, foreign policy of Romania, EU enlargement
Abstract: 

On March 1, 2012, EU leaders granted the candidate status to Serbia. Romania blocked the decision and required additional guarantees for the rights of the Romanian minority in Eastern Serbia. The behavior of Romania was surprising because Bucharest was considered to be a traditional friend of Belgrade and was one of the five EU memberstates which did not recognize the one-sidedly declared independence of Kosovo. The case became a good occasion for the resumption of the more broader debate on the ways a state should uphold its interest within the EU.

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