BRUSSELS, June 21 (UPI) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy says that no new members can be admitted to the European Union unless the Lisbon Treaty takes effect.

LONDON, June 18 (UPI) -- Diplomats say problems in the Czech Republic and Poland make it unlikely they can ratify the Lisbon treaty ahead of October's European Union summit.

PRAGUE, Czech Republic, June 14 (UPI) -- Czech leaders called for an end to the ratification process of the European Commission's Lisbon treaty in the wake of its rejection in an Irish referendum.

BUCHAREST, Romania, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Seven Balkan countries formed a free-trade zone in southeastern Europe Tuesday, creating a market of 30 million people, media said.

PODGORICA, Serbia, May 23 (UPI) -- An EU official says talks with Montenegro may resume once the Balkan state formally secedes from its union with Serbia.

BRUSSELS, April 7 (UPI) -- Romania's judicial reforms and its anti-corruption drive have won praise, paving its way for membership in the European Union by next year.

BRUSSELS, April 5 (UPI) -- EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn says Romania and Bulgaria must expand judiciary reforms if they want to join the European Union next January.

SOFIA, Bulgaria, April 4 (UPI) -- An EU official encouraged Bulgaria's judicial reforms, aimed at fighting corruption and organized crime, to help its bid to join the European Union.

BELGRADE, Serbia, March 31 (UPI) -- Belgrade's agreement Friday to arrest war crimes suspect Gen. Ratko Mladic paved the way for planned talks on Serbia joining the European Union.

BELGRADE, Serbia, March 30 (UPI) -- An EU official said Thursday a date remained open for Brussels to decide on whether to have association talks with Serbia.