An EU official has hailed a “new momentum” in ties with Serbia after this Balkan country softened its hardline resolution on Kosovo for the U.N. General Assembly meeting earlier this month.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said Friday “the time has come for the EU to tackle seriously the application of Serbia to join the European Union.”

Serbia has agreed to replace its resolution presented at the meeting with a watered down text that calls for dialogue with Kosovo, rather than challenges the former province’s 2008 declaration of independence.

EU officials have urged Serbia to give up its bid to reclaim Kosovo in favor of EU integration.

Belgrade applied for EU membership last December, but its candidacy has not yet been approved.

September 17, 2010
Associated Press

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