EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn says Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica has blocked the deal, to protest a separate EU decision to prepare a police and administrative mission for Kosovo.

In Brussels Wednesday, Rehn said the aid-trade deal remains open and expressed regret over what he called "obstruction by certain politicians in Belgrade."

Mr. Kostunica Tuesday called the aid-trade pact a European trap aimed at forcing his country to accept Kosovo's expected declaration of independence.

The postponed pact would promote political dialogue, ease visa restrictions and seek to expand EU trade and educational cooperation with Belgrade. EU leaders had described it as a way of promoting Serbian progress toward eventual EU entry.

Tuesday, the chairman of Europe's leading security organization met in Belgrade with newly-re-elected Serbian President Boris Tadic. The Serbian president, who supports closer ties with Europe, was re-elected to a second term Sunday.

Finnish Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva, whose country chairs the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, congratulated Mr. Tadic on his victory. He also voiced continued support for political reforms in Serbia.

Soure: By VOA News