German Bundestag president calls for temporary stop to EU expansion

The European Union cannot take on new member states for the time being as existing members still have a lot of work to do on consolidation, the president of Germany's Bundestag lower house of parliament was quoted as saying on Saturday.

His comments are likely to disappoint countries like Croatia, which is hoping to join the EU in 2013, and others in the Balkans seeking membership. (Reuters)