EU to Move Forward Serbia Membership Application

The EU will begin reviewing Serbia's application for membership by the end of October, stated Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Steven Vanackere.

"I am firmly resolved to include the item of official discussions of Belgrade's candidacy in the agenda for the next meeting of EU foreign ministers on October 25," stated the Belgian official, whose country holds the rotating EU Presidency.

This move is seen as a return for Serbia's comparative softening of its stance on the breakaway Kosovo.

Last week Serbia and the EU brokered and co-authored a toned down resolution of the UN General Council, which was then passed unanimously. Serbia had tabled a prior resolution denouncing the independence of Kosovo, which text many countries, including the US, UK and Germany, have viewed as unacceptable.

In the new resolution Serbia has not formally recognized the independence of Kosovo, but in an important move has vowed to start talks with Kosovo, something that up to now it has resolutely refused to do.

The Serbian stance of Kosovo has been framed by EU leaders as a key factor for the Balkan country's prospects of joining the Union.

Serbia officially submitted its EU candidacy on December 22, 2009.

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