24 July 2008

Majority of MP feels Serbia not ready for EU
De Volkskrant reports that a majority in parliament supports the cabinet position that Serbia is not yet ready to join the European Union.

According to the paper, the Netherlands is headed for a confrontation with other EU countries which believe that Serbia should be rewarded for the arrest of former Bosnian-Serb President Radovan Karadzic earlier this week.

The Dutch cabinet is demanding full cooperation with the Yugoslav Tribunal in The Hague, which means that former General Ratko Mladic must also be extradited.

The Netherlands can veto far-reaching EU cooperation with Serbia, and diplomats expect it will do so.

European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn argues that Serbia is now entitled to the privileges pursuant to a cooperation treaty signed this spring, which includes trade benefits for the potential EU member state.

However, Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen insists on full cooperation with the Yugoslavia Tribunal before Serbia can reap the benefits of the treaty.

Verhagen also demands that Serbia introduce a witness protection programme to allow witnesses to freely testify at the tribunal in The Hague.

Smallest micro air vehicle
De Telegraaf has a picture of the world's smallest Micro Air Vehicle.

The Delfly Micro, which was developed by students at the Technical University in the town of Delft, has a wingspan of only 10 centimetres, weighs no more than three grams, can stay airborne for three minutes and has an on-board camera.

During its presentation at the university, the dragonfly-like craft flew around the auditorium and made pictures of the audience.

Micro Air Vehicles can be used for reconnaissance flights over inaccessible or dangerous terrain.

National Muslim Party to be formed soon
Trouw reports that plans for the formation of a national Muslim party are becoming more concrete.

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