EU makes goodwill gesture towards Belgrade, signs pact beginning the process of accession. Serbs rejoice:

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica told the state news agency Tanjug the move showed Belgrade “can at the same time successfully handle European integration … and defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country.”

Translation: my government can get us into the EU without compromising on Kosovo. Plus we’re sure to get Republika Srpska chopped off from Bosnia sooner or later.

The Eastern Question never dies, but the Sick Man of Europe isn’t the Ottoman Empire any more…