Czechs to deal with enlargement, Cyprus re-unification during EU presidency

During its EU presidency in the first half of 2009, the Czech Republic will be responsible for negotiating Croatia’s entry, Cyprus’ re-unification and Serbia’s candidacy, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn said in Prague on Thursday. Mr Rehn said that the ongoing negotiations with Croatia are going well but some of the key issues of the country’s accession to the EU may have to be resolved during the Czech presidency. EU candidacy could possibly be offered to Serbia during the Czech term, and Czech politicians might also take part in resolving the issue of divided Cyprus.