Serbia Hopes for Swift Start of EU Talks after Mladic Arrest

Last Thursday, May 26, EU foreign affairs high representative Catherine Ashton travelled to Belgrade to meet Serbian President Boris Tadic on the occasion of the apprehension of Gen Ratko Mladic. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Serbia hopes to start accession negotiations with the EU early 2012, stated Serbian President Boris Tadic Wednesday.

"I hope that by the end of this year we will receive a date for the start of accession talks in the beginning of 2012," said the Serbian President.

He added that Serbia wants to receive the same treatment on the part of the EU as Croatia, which started negotiations even before the arrest of Croatian Gen Ante Gotovina wanted by the Hague tribunal for war crimes.

"I think that with capturing Gen Ratko Mladic, instituting important reforms in the judiciary and making significant progress in the fight against corruption, Serbia has fulfilled all commitments for starting talks with the EU," said Tadic Wednesday.

In other news, Gen Mladic, who was transferred to the Hague Tuesday, is said to be cooperative and show understanding regarding his imminent trial.

"Mladic is completely sensible, and he was extremely cooperative," commented a representative of the International Criminal Court for the Former Yugoslavia.

Earlier Mladic's son had claimed his 69-year-old father is physically and and psychologically incapable of standing the trial.

Gen Mladic is set to have his first showing in court on Friday, when he will identify himself and present his response to the charges levied against him.