EU Welcomes Reported Deal On New Serbian Government

Serbian state television earlier reported that moderate parties have reached a power-sharing deal to form a new government and see off the threat of radical nationalists coming back to power. An official announcement is expected shortly.

The deal comes after the West expressed concerns over the recent election of ultranationalist Tomislav Nikolic as parliament speaker.

In a statement issued after the television report, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said, "I have learned of good progress in forming a new reform- and Europe-oriented government in Serbia."

Rehn said Serbia's negotiations on joining the European Union could be revitalized immediately if such a government was formed.

Copyright (c) 2006. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org